Social Policy Ministry studying Brussels' report on gender discrimination

The Social Policy Ministry will be analysing the European Commission's report on gender discrimination, which rapped Malta for its failures to implement or correctly transpose the directive dealing with equality.

The ministry said it will respond on the matter once the detailed analysis is completed.

The European Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Malta last week - the second stage of the three-pronged legal procedure that tackles infringements - about what it said was the incorrect transposition of rules prohibiting discrimination in employment and occupation based on gender.

The Commission issued a similar warning to another five member states, saying the main problems included wrong definitions of direct or indirect discrimination, women's rights to maternity leave and the functioning of equality bodies.

The government is completely in favour of abolishing discrimination in the country, the ministry said. This was evident in the laws it enacted and the initiatives it took throughout the years to curb discrimination.