National reform programme 2008-2010 Malta - European Commission

The sub group has forwarded its recommendations to the working group and the latter is to
approve the final version in order to secure Ministerial approval.
Measure 1.9
Commencement of incremental measures in pension’s reform
The Social Security (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2006(Act XIX of 2006) was adopted on 7
December 2006.
These amendments include:
• Raising of the pension age depending on the year of birth with the pension age
increasing gradually to 65;;
• People reaching the age of 65 will still benefit from a pension if they remain in
employment;
• A reworking of the rates of the maximum pensionable income;
• A guaranteed national minimum pension of 60% of the National Median Income as
opposed to the current regime of four fifths of Minimum wage for a married couple and
two thirds for any other person;
• Credits of contribution for parents for child rearing where social security contributions
will be awarded, under specific conditions, for the purpose of pensionable income;
• A legal provision that places the responsibility on the Minister responsible for Social
Security to report to Parliament on a regular periodic review of the Pension System.
Measure 1.10
Introduce a new Health Services Act to separate the regulatory from the operational and
service-delivery functions of the Health Division
The draft Healthcare Act was at a very advanced stage of completion and a draft was being
vetted by the Attorney General in early 2008. However, due to the general elections in Malta
in March 2008, and the resulting change of Minister, this draft Act has been put on hold for to
undergo revisions by the newly appointed Minister.
However, the administrative structures envisaged in the Act for the Health Sector have been
reformed despite the delay in the publishing of the Health Services Act; namely the separation
of the regulator from the provider, that should improve the sustainability as well as the
provision of Health Services in Malta.
Measure 1.11
Help ensure a flexible and dynamic labour market
The ETC is currently providing a number of training services that include basic skills, trade
and non trade programs, ICT, Business and Management Development and other Labour
Market oriented programs. In addition it also administers a number of training and
employment schemes that include apprenticeship and traineeship.
Selected schemes and initiatives include the Business Promotion Act (Cap. 325) schemes;
Training Subsidy Scheme; Traineeships; Apprenticeships; Night Institute for Further Technical
Education; Mainstream courses; Basic Employment Training; Trade Testing; ESF 18 –
Literacy for those seeking employment; ESF 31 - Employment and Training Scheme; ESF 47
- Promoting the Woman – Entrepreneur Culture; ESF 52 - Training Programmes for Youths in
Institutional Care; Employability Programme; ESF 73 - Addressing the demand and supply of
e-skills through traineeships in ICT; ESF 24 - Increasing female participation; ESF 50 -
National Campaign promoting the benefits of quality childcare.
Malta National Reform Programme 2008-2010 - 5 -