Four in 10 male and female homosexuals report suffering harassment at work, according to a survey carried out by the Malta Gay Rights Movement.

The movement has been lobbying the government for nearly two years to bring employment laws in line with EU directives. It wants workplace discrimination against homosexuals banned.

Labour laws in Malta ban discrimination in principle but they do not specifically mention sexual orientation, the movement said, adding that the government insists the present legislation against discrimination is sufficient.

Homosexuals are at a higher risk of discrimination than other minorities, according to the EU directive against discrimination. Most EU member states already have protection against this sort of discrimination, while the UK will introduce the law by the end of the year, the movement said.