The Equality Bill And Its Impact On Employment

Whereas the right not to be treated in a discriminatory manner is enshrined in the highest law of the land – the Constitution, measures in favour of protection against discrimination specifically in relation to employment matters may be found both in the Employment and Industrial Relations Act (Chapter 452 of the Laws of Malta), as well as the Equality for Men and Women Act (Chapter 456 of the Laws of Malta). This subject matter is again high on the national agenda in view of the proposed Equality Act and Human Rights and Equality Commission Act currently being discussed in Parliament, which Acts are intended to "incorporate all legislation dealing with equality in order to ensure legal certainty and elevate the principle of equality to a right in itself, and make it applicable to all spheres of life"¹.