Over the past six years, only two applicants complained of discrimination when they were asked about family plans during job interviews.
Renee Laiviera, who heads the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality, said she was worried about the underreporting of such discriminatory cases.
“NCPE is concerned not only about underreporting but also about the way complaints are withdrawn, leading the commission to halt its investigations,” she told Times of Malta.
The Malta Union of Teachers reported recently that some women who were applying for promotions in State schools had been asked during their job interviews whether they intended having children.
Interview board members, the MUT said, asked questions like: “How do you expect to carry out this role properly when you have two children to look after?” or: “Do you intend to have children in the coming months soon after an eventual appointment?”
NCPE is concerned not only on underreporting but also on the withdrawal of complaints
Under Maltese law, it is illegal to ask jobseekers questions about their private and family plans.
The Education Ministry ordered an inquiry and a spokesman said it was still in progress despite the fact that the MUT confirmed that no official complaint had been filed.
MUT president Kevin Bonello said the teachers involved preferred to wait until the interview results were published before making an official complaint.
An NCPE spokeswoman said the commission had only received two complaints about discrimination during job interviews – one in 2008 and another this year.
Ms Laiviera said a 2010 report by the commission showed that underreporting of cases of discrimination on grounds of gender was evident in various spheres, including when seeking employment.
The study had recommended that outreach to victims was essential. The commission was working on disseminating more information on the rights and obligations related to equality issues and on ways of reporting alleged discrimination.
The Equality for Men and Women Act deems as discriminatory the treatment of women and men less favourably on the basis of parenthood, family responsibilities or other reasons related to sex.
Besides, the Equality Policy for the Public Service specifies that interview questions should relate to the requirements of the job.
Questions about marriage plans or family intentions should not be asked because they could be construed as showing bias against women and men with family responsibilities.
The commission spokeswoman said it expected government selection boards to comply with such policy.
Jobseekers who were discriminated against on grounds of sex or family responsibilities during interviews or during recruitment processes for vacant posts in employment can file a complaint with NCPE.
For more information contact the NCPE on 2590 3850, at equality@gov.mt or on the Facebook page.