Update with comments from the MEA below: The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry has expressed “deep concern over recent revelations regarding Government appointments that disregard both merit and the ethical principles expected of public office.”

The Chamber, in a statement on Saturday, insisted that “there is a disturbing trend of leniency and disregard for standards, which compromises the principles of meritocracy and transparency that are essential for good governance.”

It highlighted that in December 2021, a report of the Standards Commissioner led to a Minister’s resignation over a breach of ethical standards, whereby a €15,000 public contract was awarded to an unqualified personal acquaintance. “This incident illustrated the necessity for strict adherence to ethical codes, particularly concerning ministerial conduct and the responsible use of public funds,” the Chamber added.

The Chamber went on to say that “in the same period, another appointment, recently brought to light, saw the then-girlfriend, now wife, of a different Minister secure an eight-month, €68,000 p.a. role within the Ministry for Gozo – a position for which she was neither qualified nor deemed competent. This engagement was justified by the Minister as complying with the Manual of Resourcing Policies and Procedures, yet such comfort in technical adherence reveals a troubling gap in our ethical framework.”

“The verbatim interpretation of the Ministerial Code of Ethics by the current Standards Commissioner did not consider personal relationships outside of marriage within its scope, thereby overlooking the spirit in which these guidelines were created,” the Chamber said. “The spirit of ethical governance mandates transparency and prioritises qualifications over personal affiliations, something The Malta Chamber strongly advocates for across all sectors.”

The Chamber stressed that “the Prime Minister’s acceptance of an apology as sufficient response to this matter only deepens our concerns. Being lenient on such breaches of trust is incompatible with the ethical standards expected for good governance and weakens public faith in our institutions.”

It added that, “when standards are inconsistently enforced or diluted, public confidence in Government diminishes, and the values of meritocracy and fairness are undermined. In the private sector, high ranking officers in serious companies are held to high standards of accountability – an apology alone is not sufficient in cases of ethical misconduct. The same, if not higher, standards should apply to those entrusted with public office.”

The Malta Chamber said it has long spoken about these principles. “In 2022, a comprehensive document titled, “A Strong Transparency, Accountability and Ethical Governance Framework for Members of Parliament” was issued. This document advocates for stricter guidelines to address issues of nepotism, favouritism, and abuse of power in Government appointments.”

“It is our firm belief,” the Chamber said, “that laws and regulations should serve as ethical guidelines rather than to provide loopholes to justify improper behaviour. Governance frameworks must be robust enough to hold public officials fully accountable and to deter abuse of power.”

It insisted that “in every Ministry and public entity, it is crucial to ensure that appointments and public contracts are awarded based on merit, qualifications, and a genuine commitment to public service, not personal connections. This approach preserves the credibility and integrity of public institutions and ensures diligent use of taxpayer funds.”

The Malta Chamber concluded by calling upon the Government “to take immediate, meaningful action to reinforce the ethical standards governing ministerial conduct. We urge the Prime Minister and all public officials to treat such breaches with the seriousness they deserve, to reestablish confidence in public institutions and provide the reassurance that Government truly values transparency, meritocracy, and ethical governance.”

MEA statement

Meanwhile,the Malta Employers’ Association (MEA) said that the reaction from the Prime minister, was a “true slap in the face to governance and accountability.”

In a statement, the MEA argued that “the phantom job given to Minister Bartolo’s wife was not the first of its kind and the reaction of the Prime Minister sends a clear message to the country that certain people in high places can break regulations without any consequence for their actions.”

The MEA argued that “these and many other non-productive jobs given in the public sector are one reason why there is a shortage of employees in the private sector that is being addressed through the employment of foreign workers. Ministers and civil servants are there to serve the people, not to take advantage of their positions to dispense lucrative government jobs at will.”

The Malta Employers’ Association said it ha has long called for control and accountability for the engagement of persons of trust, by ensuring that they are limited in number and given to persons who can justify what they earn through their expertise and output. “Unfortunately, there are too many examples of such jobs being awarded to those who seek political favouritism,” it said.

“Many employees see the injustice of having to give an honest day’s work to earn their salary, whilst a selected few are handed exorbitant packages and contracts for doing nothing or almost nothing. This is affecting the national work ethic and the motivation of the honest worker and entrepreneur. It can no longer be allowed to persist,” the MEA said.

It concluded by saying that “if the Prime Minister truly believes in good governance and aspires towards uphold the country’s reputation, then he should act consistently and do the right thing to send a clear message that such abuses in a serious country like Malta are not tolerated.”

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