Tourism official facing sexual harassment claims

A Malta Tourism Authority official is on forced leave following claims of sexual harassment, The Sunday Times has learnt.

The man - who holds a middle management post - is being accused by a woman employee of making improper advances.

The woman claims that on several occasions the man approached her for sexual favours. She is alleging that he sent text messages to this effect, which she has retained as evidence.

The manager even insinuated that the woman in question could further her career if she acceded to his requests, sources said.

When contacted, Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech confirmed the case and insisted that it was being investigated by a disciplinary board specifically set up for this case.

"We will treat such cases with utmost seriousness. We have a zero tolerance attitude to these incidents, once they are verified," the minister said.

It is not yet known whether the 'victim' has requested the police to investigate the case.

Sexual harassment is defined by the National Commission for Equality as any unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature, or other sex-based conduct, which affects the dignity of both men and women at the workplace or during official duty outside the workplace.

Sexual harassment may take many forms, including physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature, sex-based conduct and sexual blackmail.

The Criminal Code stipulates that a person guilty of such an offence faces up to three months' imprisonment and/or a fine of between Lm1,000 and Lm2,000.

Last August, a woman was awarded Lm2,000 in compensation after a tribunal found she was forced to leave her job due to sexual harassment.