“Commitment to equality must be continuous”

11 Sep 2026 - GWU - Youths | Home | News | Politics | Sections

– GWU President Jason Deguara

The General Workers’ Union (GWU) believes that the commitment to equality and inclusion in the workplace must be continuous, while collective bargaining should remain an important tool for translating the principles of equality into tangible working conditions for workers.

This was the main message delivered by GWU President Jason Deguara during the Out@Work – “Building More Inclusive & Equal Workplaces” conference, organised by Allied Rainbow Communities (ARC) in collaboration with the GWU as part of the Malta Pride 2026 activities. The conference was held at the Workers’ Memorial Building in Valletta.

“When different generations of workers are respected, we create a workplace environment where experience and new ideas can coexist. For the GWU, this means a commitment to equality that must continue,” Deguara said.

He maintained that the GWU must continue using collective bargaining to improve working conditions while addressing new realities and challenges emerging in the world of work.

Deguara explained that Pride Week is not only an occasion to recognise the progress achieved in promoting equality and the rights of LGBTIQ+ people, but also an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that still need to be addressed.

“It should also be an opportunity to ask ourselves whether our workplaces are keeping pace with the society we want to build,” the GWU President said.

He explained that inclusion means creating conditions in which every person can participate fully and confidently in the workplace, free from discrimination. In this context, trade unions have an important role to play because, through social dialogue and collective bargaining, they can help translate the principles of equality into tangible working conditions.

Deguara also referred to the European LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy for 2026–2030 and maintained that Malta has an important role to play in ensuring that European commitments are translated into concrete action at national level.

He said that employers have an important responsibility to create inclusive workplace environments, while trade unions must ensure that workers’ voices are heard and that equality becomes part of the everyday reality of the workplace.

“We must ensure that collective bargaining continues to evolve so that it not only reflects today’s realities but also anticipates the challenges of tomorrow,” Deguara reiterated.

Collective agreements as a tool for equality

Kendrick Bondin, Secretary of the Government, Public Entities and Health Section within the GWU, also addressed the conference, focusing on the role of trade unions in promoting equality through collective agreements.

Bondin explained that the GWU has worked for many years to advance equality by promoting equal opportunities and recognising the equal contribution of women and men both in the workplace and in society.

He said that when negotiating collective agreements, the GWU focuses on several important pillars, including equal treatment, inclusive language, equal pay for work of equal value, dignity in the workplace and accountability.

Mental health and psychological safety

The conference also included an intervention by Ryan Portelli, counsellor, educator and activist, who spoke about mental health and the importance of psychological safety in the workplace, particularly for LGBTIQ+ people.

A panel discussion entitled “Beyond the Rainbow: Pride, Partnership or Tokenism” was also held, giving participants the opportunity to discuss challenges, share their experiences and explore how inclusion can move beyond symbolic initiatives and become an integral part of workplace culture and practices.

Through its participation in this conference, the GWU continued to emphasise its commitment to workplaces where every worker is treated with dignity, respect and equality, and where no one faces discrimination because of who they are.