Analysing the laws on sexual harassment : a need for reform?

Abstract

The first legislation which introduced the concept of sexual harassment in Malta was promulgated in 2002 in the Employment and Industrial Relations Act (EIRA). Following Malta’s accession to the European Union an additional level of protection was introduced, in relation to the area of sexual harassment. This term paper examines Maltese legislation in relation to sexual harassment outside and at the workplace in order to determine any shortcomings in relation to anti-sexual harassment laws. The main findings that came about throughout this term paper are the inconsistences and weaknesses especially with regard to preventative measures and time periods in relation to sexual harassment. In addition, the author also examined the remedies in place for sexual harassment claims, with particular focus on the equality body and how this equality body requires sanctioning powers in order to have more effective functions in the realm of sexual harassment.