The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) has awarded the Equality Mark certification to four operating companies within the Vassallo Group, namely Vassallo Builders, Caremalta, Caremalta Mellieha and CaterEssence.

This certification is based on evidence of true commitment to implementing relevant policies and practices that concern gender equality and family-friendly measures at the workplace and in the access to and provision of goods and services. This certification allows these companies to use the Equality Mark logo in all their communications.

Group chairman Nazzareno Vassallo said: “The Vassallo Group has always been at the forefront in the promotion of gender diversity as well as diversity in general. In fact, diversity is one of the group’s core values. A number of employees within our group, men and women, have progressed in their career, irrespective of their gender.”

Mr Vassallo said he hoped this achievement would motivate everyone to keep working towards more gender equality. “We believe all those who wish to contribute towards keeping the group as a leader in the sectors it operates in should be able to do so irrespective of gender. This is what made us great over the past 70 years. This is what will drive us towards excellence in the years to come.”

A number of equality representatives from various companies have also been appointed. These act as a point of reference and a voice within the organisation for gender equality.

The Vassallo Group employs 1,560 individuals, out of whom more than 900 are women. The companies within the group offer a number of family-friendly measures including special family leave, job sharing and reduced hours. The group also organises various events aimed at promoting work-life balance and family-friendly measures among its workforce. These include ‘Bring your child to work’ days, family days and a healthy lifestyle week.