Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1148959
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 28 JULY 2019 INTERVIEW Your new ministry's portfolio is split into two: Equality, and European affairs. Under Helena Dalli, these seemed to be balanced out between a minister who was more associated with the 'equality' side… assisted by Aaron Farrugia, who was more focused on Europe. Judging by your press articles, however, you seem to lean more towards the European angle. Does your appointment mean that 'equality' is no longer a priority for the government? I can answer that with a straight 'No'. In fact, just yes- terday I had an intensive meet- ing with the Prime Minister, where we agreed that they are both on an equal footing. I un- derstand why you think my in- clination is towards European affairs… because it's true: I have a great interest in the sub- ject. But equality is still a gov- ernment priority. Obviously, I have a hard act to follow, in the sense that Helena Dalli is syn- onymous with the sector. Any successor would find it very dif- ficult. But I assure you, I share both her and the Prime Min- ister's vision… and I will carry on with the good work, and give it immediate priority. The first item on the agenda is to meet all the stakeholders. I will continue pushing the two bills which are already before Parlia- ment, which will give extensive powers to the new Commission for Equality. We will adopt, as law, the 12 protocols of the Convention of Human Rights, so as to ensure that there will be a government for equality; not just a ministry. Because the government has to implement equality measures in all sectors; we have to promote equality on the place of work, and incorpo- rate equality measures into the design of our infrastructure. Are we already there? We did a lot since 2013; we are protago- nists in this sector, not just at European but also on a global level… and I am determined to keep working in that direction. If we meet again in 2020, I'll be able to answer you not just with words, but with concrete facts. Let's take one concrete example. Gender equality is very high on the government's agenda – Dalli's appointment itself attests to that – but Malta still has the largest gender pay gap in the European Union. What are your plans to guarantee the principle of 'equal pay for equal work'? This is a problem which has been there for decades now. It is obviously more pronounced in a vibrant economy, where we have managed to create more, and different types of employment. A lot of work has already been done with the so- cial partners… because govern- ment cannot enforce a solution without persuading the social partners: including unions, employers' associations, etc. So, discussions have been tak- ing place; but we need to come up with concrete solutions… we need authorities which act, when action is deemed appro- priate… But the authorities already exist – there's the NCPE, for instance – and, while Government has so far suggested quotas for Parliament… nothing seems to have been done to address the permanent gender imbalance across the board: including the private sector. This is now your remit: what do you propose to do about it? First of all, we need to be ag- gressive: to introduce more measures similar to the ones we are proposing for parliamen- tary representation. We cannot just say that 'women will make it on their own'… we have to take action. But, in the case of the private sector, matters are more complex. Any measures have to be endorsed by the stakeholders. On paper, the leg- islative framework is already in place. Now, I believe we have to work more on a change in men- tality. That will be our priority. As you said, the authorities are already in place; but by Septem- ber/October, when parliament reconvenes, the two bills we will be discussing will give the NCPE more power. But it's not just a case of implementing new laws. We have to take a hands- on approach, and see to it that the measures are implemented on the ground. At the same time, however, it is ultimately a question of mentality; and on this point, I also believe that we shouldn't be too negative about it. The situation is changing at its roots. What remains to be done is to seize the momen- tum, so that we can truly talk about having a gender neutral, socially just society. Meanwhile, equality touches on other areas besides gender. Helena Dalli is also on record saying that she believes that migrant communities should be given the right to vote in local elections. Is that something you will be working towards, too? Yes, of course. The govern- ment's stand on this is clear: foreigners who live in Malta, and are 'regularised' – in the sense that they live and work here, pay taxes, and are part of our community… I agree with Helena Dalli that it is a natural progression for these people to be given the same rights as other citizens. Either we be- lieve that that is what our soci- ety should be; or we turn to the conservative view – to which, obviously, I don't subscribe… You say that 'government's stand is clear'… but is it really? There are entire foreign communities living and working here legally – partly as the result of government's own policy to bring workers from overseas – yet we can all see that there is resistance to, for instance, offering naturalisation programmes. What is actually being done to integrate those communities? First of all, there is a process whereby foreigners who have been established here for some time can apply for citizenship. But on the whole, yes, there is resistance to the idea of inte- gration. What many might not realise is that these people are needed in our economy; they fill important gaps in the na- tional workforce. I don't be- lieve the criticism that they are 'taking work from the Maltese'. That's not the situation at all. Nor do I agree with Adrian De- lia's call for 'intelligent migra- tion'. There is no such thing: migrants travel from one re- gion to another when there are Before her nomination to the European Commission, outgoing Equality and European Affairs minister, Helena Dalli, piloted a number of reforms that put Malta on the world civil liberties map. Can her successor EDWARD ZAMMIT LEWIS improve on her record? A hard act to follow PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES BIANCHI Raphael Vassallo Raphael Vassallo rvassallo@mediatoday.com.mt