Economy Data , Malta

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Malta

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Region	Middle East & North Africa
Income Group	High income
Population	436,947
Female Population	219,260
% of Women in the Workforce	39%

Topic scores

Accessing institutions	100
Using property	100
Getting a job	72
Providing incentives to work	100
Going to court	100
Building credit	25
Protecting women from violence	100

Scored Questions

Question	Answer	Score
Are wives required to obey their husbands?	No	1
Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man?	Yes	1
Can a woman apply for a national identity card in the same way as a man?	Yes	1
Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man?	Yes	1
Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man?	Yes	1
Can a woman get a job in the same way as a man?	Yes	1
Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man?	Yes	1
Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man?	Yes	1
Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man?	Yes	1
Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man?	Yes	1
Can a woman be "head of household" in the same way as a man?	Yes	1

Constitutional rights

Question	Answer	Source
Does the constitution contain a clause on nondiscrimination?	Yes	Constitution of Malta, Art. 14
If there is a nondiscrimination clause in the constitution, does it mention sex or gender?	Yes	Constitution of Malta, Art. 14
Does the constitution contain a clause on equality?	Yes	Constitution of Malta, Art. 14
Is customary law recognized as a valid source of law under the constitution?	No	Constitution of Malta
If so, is customary law invalid if it violates constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality?	N/A
Is personal law recognized as a valid source of law under the constitution?	No	Constitution of Malta
If so, is personal law invalid if it violates constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality?	N/A

Marital responsibility

Question	Answer	Source
Are wives required to obey their husbands?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Can a woman confer citizenship to a non-national spouse in the same way as a man?	Yes	Maltese Citizenship Act, Art. 4
Do spouses jointly share responsibility for financially maintaining the family?	Yes	Chapter 16, Civil Code, Title I, Art. 2

Married and unmarried women

Question	Answer	Source
Can a married woman apply for a passport in the same way as a married man?	Yes	Subsidiary Legislation, 61.02, Passport Regulations Passport application form
Can an unmarried woman apply for a passport in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	Subsidiary Legislation 61.02, Passport Regulations Passport application form
Can a married woman apply for a national identity card in the same way as a married man?	Yes	Identity Card and Other Documents Act ID card application form
Can an unmarried woman apply for a national identity card in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	Identity Card and Other Documents Act ID card application form
Can a married woman travel outside the country in the same way as a married man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can an unmarried woman travel outside the country in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can a married woman travel outside her home in the same way as a married man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can an unmarried woman travel outside her home in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can a married woman get a job in the same way as a married man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can an unmarried woman get a job in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can a married woman sign a contract in the same way as a married man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can an unmarried woman sign a contract in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can a married woman register a business in the same way as a married man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can an unmarried woman register a business in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can a married woman open a bank account in the same way as a married man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can an unmarried woman open a bank account in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can a married woman choose where to live in the same way as a married man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can an unmarried woman choose where to live in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can a married woman be "head of household" or "head of family" in the same way as a married man?	Yes	Social Security Act, Ch. 318, Art. 2
Can an unmarried woman be "head of household" or "head of family" in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	Social Security Act, Ch. 318, Art. 2
Can a married woman confer citizenship to her children in the same way as a married man?	Yes	Maltese Citizenship Act, Art. 5
Can an unmarried woman confer citizenship to her children in the same way as an unmarried man?	Yes	Maltese Citizenship Act, Art. 5

Quotas

Question	Answer	Source
What are the quotas for women on corporate boards?	No quota	No applicable provisions could be located
What are the reserved seat quotas for women in national parliament?	No quota	No applicable provisions could be located
What are the reserved seat quotas for women in municipal councils?	No quota	No applicable provisions could be located
What are the quotas for women on candidate lists in elections for national parliament?	No quota	No applicable provisions could be located
What are the quotas for women on candidate lists in elections for municipal councils?	No quota	No applicable provisions could be located
Are there sanctions for noncompliance with quotas for women on corporate boards?	N/A
Are there sanctions for noncompliance with quotas for women on candidate lists for national parliament elections?	N/A
Are there sanctions for noncompliance with quotas for women on candidate lists for municipal council elections?	N/A
Are there financial incentives to include women on corporate boards?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Are there financial incentives to include women on candidate lists for national parliament elections?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Are there financial incentives to include women on candidate lists for municipal council elections?	No	No applicable provisions could be located

Question	Answer	Score
Who legally administers marital property?	Both must agree	1
Does the law provide for the valuation of nonmonetary contributions?	Yes	1
Do men and women have equal ownership rights to immovable property?	Yes	1
Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights?	Yes	1
Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights?	Yes	1

Question	Answer	Source
What is the default marital property regime?	Partial Community of property	Civil Code, Arts. 1316(1), 1319, 1320 and 1321
Who administers marital property?	Both must agree	Civil Code, Art. 1322

Question	Answer	Source
If the husband administers property, is spousal consent required for major transactions?	N/A
Are there special provisions governing the marital home?	Yes	Civil Code, Art. 3A
Does the law provide for valuation of nonmonetary contributions?	Yes	Civil Code, Arts. 1316(1), 1319, 1320 and 1321

Question	Answer	Source
Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property?	Yes	Constitution of Malta, Art. 32
Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property?	Yes	Civil Code, Art. 1322 Constitution of Malta, Art. 32

Question	Answer	Source
Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights?	Yes	Civil Code, Art. 810
Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights?	Yes	Civil Code, Art. 811

Question	Answer	Score
Is there paid leave available to women of at least 14 weeks?	Yes	1
Do women receive at least 2/3 of their wages for the first 14 weeks or the duration of the leave if it is shorter?	Yes	1
What is the percentage of maternity leave benefits paid by the government?	22%	0.22
What is the difference between leave reserved for women and men relative to leave reserved for women, as a function of who pays?	0.23	0.23
Is there paid parental leave?	No	0
Does the law mandate equal remuneration for work of equal value?	Yes	1
Does the law mandate nondiscrimination based on gender in employment?	Yes	1
Is dismissal of pregnant workers prohibited?	Yes	1
Can parents work flexibly?	No	0
Can women work the same night hours as men?	Yes	1
Can women work in jobs deemed hazardous, arduous or morally inappropriate in the same way as men?	Yes	1
Are women able to work in the same industries as men?	Yes	1
Are women able to perform the same tasks at work as men?	No	0
Are the ages at which men and women can retire with full pension benefits equal?	Yes	1
Are the ages at which men and women can retire with partial pension benefits equal?	Yes	1
Is the mandatory retirement age for men and women equal?	Yes	1

Question	Answer	Source
Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity leave?	Yes	Protection of Maternity (Employment) Regulations, Sec. 6
Does the law mandate paid or unpaid paternity leave?	Yes	Minimum Special Leave Entitlement Regulations, Secs. 2 and 4
Does the law mandate paid or unpaid parental leave?	Yes	Parental Leave Entitlement Regulations, Sec. 4
What is the length of paid maternity leave?	126	Protection of Maternity (Employment) Regulations, Secs. 6-7
What is the length of paid paternity leave?	1	Minimum Special Leave Entitlement Regulations, Secs. 2 and 4
What is the length of paid parental leave?	0	No applicable provisions could be located
Who pays maternity leave benefits?	Employer and Government	Protection of Maternity (Employment) Regulations, Sec. 7 Social Security Act, Sec. 72(3) and Part IV of Fourteenth Schedule
Who pays paternity leave benefits?	Employer 100%	Minimum Special Leave Entitlement Regulations, Secs. 2 and 4
Who pays parental leave benefits?	N/A
What percentage of wages is paid during maternity leave?	100%	Protection of Maternity (Employment) Regulations, Sec. 7 Social Security Act, Sec. 72(3)
What percentage of wages is paid during paternity leave?	100%	Minimum Special Leave Entitlement Regulations, Secs. 2 and 4
What percentage of wages is paid during parental leave?	N/A
What is the length of unpaid maternity leave?	0	No applicable provisions could be located
What is the length of unpaid paternity leave?	0	No applicable provisions could be located
What is the length of unpaid parental leave?	120	Parental Leave Entitlement Regulations, Sec. 4
How many days of unpaid parental leave must be taken by the mother?	0	No applicable provisions could be located
How many days of unpaid parental leave must be taken by the father?	0	No applicable provisions could be located
How many days of paid parental leave must be taken by the mother?	N/A
How many days of paid parental leave must be taken by the father?	N/A

Question	Answer	Source
Does the law mandate equal remuneration for work of equal value?	Yes	Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Sec. 27 Subsidiary Legislation 452.95, Sec. 3A
Does the law mandate nondiscrimination based on gender in employment?	Yes	Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Sec. 26 Equal Treatment in Employment Regulations, Sec. 3
Does the law mandate nondiscrimination based on gender in hiring?	Yes	Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Sec. 26
Does the law mandate nondiscrimination based on gender in promotions?	Yes	Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Sec. 26
Does the law mandate nondiscrimination based on gender in dismissal?	Yes	Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Sec. 26
Is it prohibited for prospective employers to ask about family status?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Is dismissal of pregnant workers prohibited?	Yes	Subsidiary Legislation 452.91 of 5 January 2004, Sec. 12 Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Sec. 36(14)(d)
Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Can parents work flexibly?	No	No applicable provisions could be located

Question	Answer	Source
What is the age at which a man can retire and receive full benefits?	65	Social Security Act, Sec. 2
What is the age at which a woman can retire and receive full benefits?	65	Social Security Act, Sec. 2
What is the age at which a man can retire and receive partial benefits?	61	Social Security Act, Sec. 64A
What is the age at which a woman can retire and receive partial benefits?	61	Social Security Act, Sec. 64A
What is the mandatory retirement age for men?	65	Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Sec. 36(14)
What is the mandatory retirement age for women?	65	Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Sec. 36(14)

Question	Answer	Source
Can women work the same night hours as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women do the same jobs as men?	No	Work Places Regulations, Sec. 15
Can women work in jobs deemed hazardous in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in jobs deemed morally or socially inappropriate in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in jobs deemed arduous in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in mining in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in factories in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in construction in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in agriculture in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in energy in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in transportation in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in the water sector in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in metalworking in the same way as men?	No	Work Places Act, Sec. 15
Can women engage in jobs requiring lifting weights above a threshold in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Can women work in all other jobs in the same way as men?	Yes	No restrictions could be located

Question	Answer	Score
Are mothers guaranteed an equivalent position after maternity leave?	Yes	1
Does the government support or provide childcare services?	Yes	1
Are childcare payments tax deductible?	Yes	1
Is primary education free and compulsory?	Yes	1
Are there tax deductions or credits specific to men?	No	1

Question	Answer	Source
Are mothers guaranteed an equivalent position after maternity leave?	Yes
Does the government provide a child allowance to parents?	Yes	Social Security Act, Art. 76 Official Website of the Department of Social Security
Must employers provide leave to care for sick relatives?	Yes	Subsidiary Legislation 452.88 on Urgent Family Leave, Art. 4

Question	Answer	Source
Does the government provide childcare services?	Yes	The Education Act, Art. 43(3) Official Website of the Ministry of Education
Does the government subsidize childcare services?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Is primary education free and compulsory?	Yes	Constitution of Malta, Art. 10 The Education Act, Arts. 2 and 43

Question	Answer	Source
Are there tax deductions or credits specific to men?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Are there tax deductions or credits specific to women?	No	No applicable provisions could be located

Question	Answer	Score
Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s?	Yes	1
Does the law establish an anti-discrimination commission?	Yes	1
Does the law mandate legal aid in civil/family matters?	Yes	1
Is there a small claims court/fast-track procedure?	Yes	1

Question	Answer	Source
Does the law recognize customary courts?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
If yes, can their decisions be appealed to statutory courts?	N/A
Does the law recognize personal law courts?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Are there dedicated and specialized family courts?	Yes	Subsidiary Legislation 12.20, Art. 2
Does the law establish an anti-discrimination commission?	Yes	Equality for Men and Women Act, Arts. 2 and 12

Question	Answer	Source
Is women’s testimony afforded the same weight as men’s?	Yes	No restrictions could be located
Does the law mandate legal aid in civil/family matters?	Yes	Code of Organization and Civil Procedure, Art. 911
Does the law mandate legal aid in criminal matters?	Yes	Criminal Code, Art. 570
Is there a small claims court/fast-track procedure?	Yes	Small Claims Tribunal Act, Art. 3 Act IV of 2016, Art. 26
If yes, what is the maximum amount?	23%

Question	Answer	Source
How many justices are on the constitutional court?	23	Constitution of Malta, Art. 95 Judiciary of Malta
Of those, how many are women?	6	Judiciary of Malta
Is the Chief Justice a woman?	No	Judiciary of Malta

Question	Answer	Score
Do retailers provide information to credit agencies?	No	0
Do utility companies provide information to credit agencies?	No	0
Is discrimination based on gender prohibited in access to credit?	Yes	1
Is discrimination based on marital status prohibited in access to credit?	No	0

Question	Answer	Source
What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry (%GNI/capita)?	23%
Do retailers provide information to credit agencies?	No
Do retailers provide positive information to credit agencies?	No
Do retailers provide negative information to credit agencies?	No
Do utility companies provide information to credit agencies?	No
Do utility companies provide positive information to credit agencies?	No
Do utility companies provide negative information to credit agencies?	No
Do microfinance institutions provide information to credit agencies?	No
Do microfinance institutions provide positive information to credit agencies?	No
Do microfinance institutions provide negative information to credit agencies?	No

Question	Answer	Source
Is discrimination based on gender prohibited in access to credit?	Yes	Equality for Men and Women Act, Sec. 6
Is discrimination based on marital status prohibited in access to credit?	No	No applicable provisions could be located

Question	Answer	Score
Is there legislation specifically addressing domestic violence? If not, are there aggravated penalties for crimes committed against a spouse or family member?	Yes	1
Is there legislation on sexual harassment in employment?	Yes	1
Is there legislation on sexual harassment in education?	Yes	1
Are there criminal penalties for sexual harassment in employment?	Yes	1
Are there civil remedies for sexual harassment in employment?	Yes	1

Question	Answer	Source
Is there domestic violence legislation?	Yes	Domestic Violence Act Criminal Code, Arts. 202(h), 251BA(5) and 222(1)(a)
If not, are there aggravated penalties for crimes against a spouse or family member?	N/A
Does domestic violence legislation cover physical violence?	Yes	Domestic Violence Act, Art. 2 Criminal Code, Art. 222(1)(a)
Does domestic violence legislation cover sexual violence?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Does domestic violence legislation cover emotional violence?	Yes	Domestic Violence Act, Art. 2 Criminal Code, Art. 251BA(1)(a)-(b), (5)
Does domestic violence legislation cover economic violence?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Does domestic violence legislation protect former partners or spouses?	Yes	Domestic Violence Act, Art. 2
Does domestic violence legislation protect unmarried intimate partners?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Are there criminal penalties for domestic violence?	Yes	Criminal Code, Arts. 202(h), 251BA(5) and 222(1)(a)
Is there a specialized court or procedure for cases of domestic violence?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Do protection orders for domestic violence exist?	Yes	Criminal Code, Art. 412C
Do protection orders provide for removal of the perpetrator from the home?	Yes	Criminal Code, Art. 412C(3)(b)
Do protection orders cover prohibition of contact and maintaining a distance from the survivor?	Yes	Criminal Code, Art. 412C(3)(a) and (c)

Question	Answer	Source
Does legislation explicitly criminalize marital rape?	Yes	Criminal Code, Art. 202(h)
If not, can a wife file a complaint against her husband for rape or sexual assault?	N/A
Have provisions exempting perpetrators from facing charges for rape if they marry the victim been removed or never existed in legislation?	Yes	No applicable provisions could be located

Question	Answer	Source
What is the legal age of marriage for boys?	18	Marriage Act, Art. 3 Civil Code, Art. 150
What is the legal age of marriage for girls?	18	Marriage Act, Art. 3 Civil Code, Art. 150
Are there any exceptions to the legal age of marriage? B-16; G-16. A 16 year old minor can get married with the parents' or the guardian's consent, otherwise with the Court's consent.	Yes	Marriage Act, Art. 3
What is the minimum age of marriage with parental consent for boys?	16	Marriage Act, Art. 3(1) and (2) Civil Code, Art. 150
What is the minimum age of marriage with parental consent for girls?	16	Marriage Act, Art. 3(1) and (2) Civil Code, Art. 150
What is the minimum age of marriage with judicial authorization for boys?	16	Marriage Act, Art. 3(1) and (3) Civil Code, Art. 150
What is the minimum age of marriage with judicial authorization for girls?	16	Marriage Act, Art. 3(1) and (3) Civil Code, Art. 150
Is marriage under the legal age void or voidable? A marriage contracted between persons either of whom is under the age of sixteen shall be void.	Yes	Marriage Act, Art. 3(1)
Are there penalties for authorizing or knowingly entering into child or early marriage?	No	No applicable provisions could be located

Question	Answer	Source
Is there legislation specifically addressing sexual harassment?	Yes	Equality for Men and Women Act, Art. 9 Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Art. 29
Is there legislation on sexual harassment in employment?	Yes	Equality for Men and Women Act, Art. 9 Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Art. 29
Is there legislation on sexual harassment in education?	Yes	Equality for Men and Women Act, Art. 9(2)(a)
Is there legislation on sexual harassment in public places?	No	No applicable provisions could be located
Are there criminal penalties for sexual harassment in employment?	Yes	Equality for Men and Women Act, Art. 9(3) Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Art. 32
Are there civil remedies for sexual harassment in employment?	Yes	Equality for Men and Women Act, Art. 19(1) Employment and Industrial Relations Act, Art. 30(2)

CONTACT

1818 H Street NW
Washington, DC 20433
USA

wbl@worldbank.org

Chisako Fukuda
Media Inquiries

+1 (202) 473-9424

cfukuda@worldbankgroup.org

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