The Malta Employers' Association said today it corresponded with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition requesting to postpone the final discussion and vote in Parliament on the National Commission for Human Rights and Equality Bill, which is set to be taken later today.

The association said it is in favour of any laws that safeguard human rights and the principles of equality and non-discrimination but has serious concerns on the details in the proposed law that is being fast-tracked in Parliament before the summer recess.

Malta Employers argues that the Bill is being rushed through the Parliamentary process without due time for proper consultation with the social partners at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD).  It expressed full confidence that a superior law would result from proper consultation, ensuring the necessary safeguards and balances expected in legislation of this kind.

The Malta Employers' Association said it regards this as a Bill of major importance that affects the fundamental rights of employees and employers and which encompasses Constitutional principles.

NGOs dismayed government ignored their input on human rights law

Several NGOs on Wednesday added their voice to complain about how the government failed to carry out consultation before rushing through the equality rights law which is set to go for a paerliament vote later today.

"We are extremely disappointed that the Equality Minister's first decision was to wholly ignore human rights NGOs. The Bill to strengthen Malta's human rights regime and establish a much-needed human rights institution was rushed through Parliament, despite our requests to be given a chance to read and comment on the Bill," the NGOs said. 

This is a Bill of major importance for all people in Malta, with the potential of embedding human rights across all sectors of life. We have been working on this Bill's predecessors for over 10 years, bringing our expertise and experience to the table with the aim of ensuring the highest possible human rights standards.

It is therefore with great surprise that we see the Equality Minister refusing to give us space to comment on the Bill. Had we been given the opportunity, we would have strongly welcomed the Bill and provided technical input on its provisions. 

"We are truly saddened by these developments, especially since the new Act will be forced upon us and the communities we work with. This will be a lost opportunity for Malta. We also hope this will not be the Equality Minister's chosen way to engage with Malta's human right sector. 

"We strongly urge Equality Minister Rosianne Cutajar and Parliament to postpone this afternoon's vote on the Bill in order to allow us to provide comment on the Bill's provisions, in a spirit of dialogue."

The NGOs who signed the statement are:

aditus foundation

African Media Association Malta

Checkpoint Malta

Dance Beyond Borders

Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation

Foundation for the Ukrainian Community of Malta

Humanists Malta

JRS Malta

MGRM

Migrants Commission

Migrant Women Association Malta

Moviment Graffitti

Repubblika

Richmond Foundation

SOS Malta

SPARK 15.

UHM also calls for public consultation

UHM - Voice of the Workers on Wednesday called on Government to provide a reasonable period of public consultation on the Equality Bill before it proceeds further through Parliament. The Equality Bill is an important piece of legislation that will have significant implications for workers, employers, trade unions, public institutions and society as a whole.

Legislation of this nature deserves careful consideration, meaningful dialogue and broad consensus. While UHM recognises the importance of strengthening equality and protection against discrimination, such objectives can only be achieved through a transparent and inclusive legislative process that allows all stakeholders sufficient time to examine the Bill, identify any practical implications and propose constructive improvements.

The publication of the revised Bill only a short time before its parliamentary consideration does not provide adequate opportunity for social partners, civil society organisations and the public to carry out the detailed analysis that legislation of this significance requires. As one of Malta's recognised social partners, UHM believes that genuine consultation is not merely a procedural formality but an essential element of good governance.

Early engagement enables concerns to be addressed before legislation reaches its final stages, resulting in stronger and more effective laws.

UHM therefore urged Government to extend the consultation period and postpone the Committee Stage until stakeholders have been given a fair opportunity to present their views and recommendations. Such an approach would reinforce public confidence in the legislative process and help ensure that the final law enjoys the widest possible support. UHM reaffirmed its commitment to participating constructively in discussions and to contributing proposals that safeguard equality, protect fundamental rights and promote legal certainty for workers and employers al