Disabled people claiming discrimination at work would not have to prove their case as the burden of proof was being shifted onto the company, Justice Minister Chris Said announced yesterday.

Shifting the burden of proof, he said, was an effective way to ensure vulnerable people were protected against abuse and encourage them to take legal action in such cases.

Dr Said explained that this was only one in a series of amendments that would soon come into force because they had already reached the third and final reading in Parliament. The amendments dealing with disability were being made to three different laws in preparation for Malta’s ratification of the UN Con-vention for the Rights of People with Disabilities.

For the first time, Dr Said noted, legal curators of disabled people deemed incapable of looking after their own interests, would be held more accountable.

The curators, usually family members, will have to present an annual report to the courts and every three years they will appear in court to be reappointed or removed from their duties.

The concept of harassment will be included in the law dealing with discrimination against disabled people.

For the first time, organisations representing disabled people – such as the National Commission Persons with Disability – will be able to initiate court proceedings on behalf of a member.

Dr Said also announced another set of amendments that have been approved by Parliament and will come into force on March 27.

These include the much-awaited extension of Schedule V of the Social Security Act, which lists medical conditions eligible for free medicines.