Labour EP candidate Claudette Abela Baldacchino said today that should she be elected to the European Parliament, she would work, with the European socialists, for the appointment of an Equality Commissioner in the European Commission.

Speaking at a meeting with the Confederation of Maltese Women's Associations, Ms Abela Baldacchino said much had been said about equality targets, but now was the time to effective action to realise them.

She insisted that families needed to be able to enjoy a balance between professional life and family responsibilities. Unfortunately, she said, women were ending up as the new poor of society, with low salaries and disgraceful working conditions.

She also underlined the need for a caring Europe where medical treatment was available without delay and undue costs.