Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1527021
11 EDITORIAL maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 25 SEPTEMBER 2024 DURING the Freedom Day celebrations organ- ised by the Labour Party in 2023, Robert Abela had said the proposed Bill on equality was back on government's agenda. The Equality Bill, known as Bill No. 96, had been put forward by then equality minister Helena Dalli in one of her last acts before giv- ing up her seat in the Maltese parliament to become European Commissioner in 2019. The Bill had been in the making since 2016 and fell squarely within the Labour govern- ment's progressive push since 2013 that saw key reforms spearheaded by Dalli and others being introduced such as marriage equality, the gender identity law and a more liberalised IVF treatment regime. The First Reading of the proposed Equality Act took place in July 2019 with the Second Reading taking place over four sessions in November 2019. In March 2020, the Bill went to committee stage where little progress was registered. It eventually died a natural death when the legislature came to a close in March 2022 without the Bill ever becoming law. The government had effectively shelved the Bill following opposition from several quar- ters, not least the church, doctors, pharma- cists and teachers. The Bill was intended to prohibit discrim- ination in various spheres of life and pro- mote equality. It proposed the creation of a Human Rights and Equality Commission with the task of looking into discrimination complaints and deciding whether to forward them to an Equality Board that will have the power to order remedial action and damages ranging up to €10,000. The Bill would have made a profound differ- ence in society, which explains the negative reaction from certain quarters. Various lobby groups felt that despite the good intentions behind the law it could serve as a tool to block freedom of expression or create situations where individuals claimed discrimination without a legitimate basis to do so. Others felt the absence of a clause allowing conscien- tious objection would force them to do things that go against their conscience. The only three sessions that had taken place at Committee stage in parliament in 2020 provided interesting exchanges that should not be ignored. But then the government went lukewarm on the Bill and let it die nat- urally. Almost four years have now passed since the last committee meeting and the equality Bill remains a ghost from Christmas past. So, when the Prime Minister touched again on the subject in March 2023, many believed the government had rediscovered its pro- gressive streak. It was not to be and there has been no tangible effort to put forward new legislation to this effect. There is no doubt that equality legislation as was being proposed will be controversial be- cause of its wide-ranging impact on different spheres of life. Some of the concerns raised may be legitimate and require legal solutions to be put in place before the law is enacted. Some concerns were frivolous, while others were simply against because in their pervert- ed view, freedom of expression and freedom of conscience mean freedom to discriminate. Only a healthy and constructive debate can help smoothen the edges and make it a better albeit realistic law. Unfortunately, no such debate can be had today because there is no proposal on the table despite last year's promise. This leader does not intend discussing the merits or demerits of equality legislation. What we are concerned about at this stage is the government's apparent lack of interest in rekindling such a debate. It is almost as if the government has lost its appetite for progres- sive change. Equality legislation appears to be going down the same damned route as reforms intended to protect journalists and strengthen freedom of expression, where a promised White Paper never materialised; and urban greening flag- ship projects in key localities where the elec- toral promise to put main roads underground appears to have fallen by the wayside. Whatever happened to the Equality Bill? maltatoday MaltaToday, MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 MANAGING EDITOR: SAVIOUR BALZAN EXECUTIVE EDITOR: KURT SANSONE EDITOR: PAUL COCKS Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: dailynews@mediatoday.com.mt meeting the demands of the job market and providing a com- prehensive education. The rise of computing programs and in- itiatives like Career Certificates reflects the changing landscape of higher education and the job market. However, ensuring that students receive a balanced education that integrates tech- nical skills with broader intel- lectual development is crucial. By collaborating with industry and promoting interdiscipli- nary programs, universities can prepare students to navigate the complexities of the mod- ern world and ensure they are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in their careers. The future of higher education de- pends on its ability to adapt to these challenges and innovate in ways that meet the needs of both students and the job mar- ket. A well-rounded education is crucial for developing critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and cultural awareness- indispensable professional skills, especially in the tech industry where ethical considerations and cultural sensitivity are increasingly important