Employment Issues 2025 - A Virtual Conference

Wednesday, 29 October 2025

09.00 Introduction

Dr Christine Calleja

09:15 Recent Employment Law Cases

Dr Mattea Pullicino

This session will delve into the most recent and topical case law updates in employment law, from the Industrial Tribunal, the Court of Appeal and the CJEU and their implications on employers and employees alike.

10:15 Discrimination & Harassment

Dr Nina Fauser

This session will delve into the topic of discrimination and harassment at the workplace, including understanding what constitutes discriminatory action (both direct and indirect) and sexual harassment, how this can be identified at the workplace, how these issues are to be reported by employees, and how these issues should be tackled by employers once a report is raised. We will also explore some steps which companies can take to prevent discrimination and harassment from occurring at the workplace.

11:15 Break

11.30 Equal Pay and Transparency

Dr Christine Calleja

The deadline for the transposition of the EU Pay Transparency Directive (Directive 2023/970) is looming ahead. As an EU Member State, Malta will need to transpose the Directive into national law by the 7th June 2026. Some changes have already been introduced in our law by means of amendments to the Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions Regulations. What additional duties will employers face in light of these changes? What additional rights will be granted to employees as relates to equality of pay and transparency?

Friday 31 October 2025

09.00 Introduction

Dr Christine Calleja.

09:15 Policies and Procedures: Your Toolkit Essentials

Dr Patrick Farrugia

Exploring the role of workplace policies and procedures is a vital step for HR professionals and people managers. How can clear, well-structured guidelines can protect your organisation, promote fairness, and ensure legal compliance? From disciplinary action to grievance handling, robust procedures are essential - not just for the sake of formality, but to serve as powerful tools for consistency and risk reduction. Find out which policies are considered the base essentials, and which others can be tailor-made and applied to appropriately serve your business' and employees' needs and requirements.

10:15 OHSA legislation updates and general principles

Dr Jeanine Mallia Schembri

This presentation will provide an overview of the fundamental principles of occupational health and safety, focusing on the key responsibilities and legal obligations of employers in ensuring a safe and compliant work environment. It will also examine the legal framework governing health and safety at work, highlighting the most recent changes introduced within the Maltese legal system.

11:15 Break

11:30 Update on Data Privacy and AI in Relation to Employment Matters

Dr Paul Gonzi

This session will delve into the most recent updates as regards data privacy and AI from an employment perspective and the implications of the same on employers and employees.

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The Speakers

Dr Mattea Pullicino is an Associate at Fenech & Fenech Advocates with her main practice areas being employment, privacy and data protection as well as commercial law.

Mattea joined Fenech & Fenech Advocates in 2018 and currently works within the firm’s Employment Department. Basing her Research Paper on an analysis of international jurisprudence relating to terrorism, Mattea obtained a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Malta in 2017. She qualified as a lawyer with a Masters in Advocacy in 2018 and was admitted to the Maltese bar in January 2019.

As a member of the Fenech & Fenech team, she now focuses on and has garnered experience in aiding an array of clients in matters mainly concerning Employment Advisory and Litigation as well as Data Protection and Privacy.

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Dr Nina Fauser is an Advocate at Ganado Advocates, forming part of the firm’s Employment team. Nina regularly advises both local and foreign clients on a variety of employment and labour law matters, including advising on employee hiring options, dismissals, redundancies, restrictive covenant clauses, equal pay matters, discrimination claims, as well as drafting of employment agreements, policies and any related documentation. During her time at University, Nina was involved in one of the largest European law student organisations, ELSA, where she held the position of President of ELSA Malta for the term 2018/2019.

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Dr Christine Calleja graduated in 2011 from the University of Malta and has been employed with Mamo TCV Advocates in the firm's employment law department since then, being involved in contract drafting and reviewing, as well as representing clients in contentious matters in the local courts and tribunals. Both her doctor of laws and master of laws theses focus on employment law, particularly, constructive dismissal and the application of the transfer of undertakings (the Acquired Rights) Directive.

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Dr Patrick Farrugia is a Senior Associate at Ten Yards Legal, and is an experienced employment lawyer mainly dealing with providing bespoke employment law advice, and representing clients before the Industrial Tribunal. Patrick also currently practices with Ten Yards Legal's sister firm, The Family Law Practice, where he deals with family law related matters such as separations, divorces and the like. Patrick is also keen on organising and providing tailor-made training sessions on employment-related subjects, and is passionate about involving trainees in deliberations and providing them with practical tips through his training.

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Dr. Jeanine Mallia Schembri is a Senior Associate at Mamo TCV Advocates working with the firm’s Corporate and Commercial department. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree awarded by the University of Malta in 2017. Subsequently, she sat for and graduated with a degree in Master of Advocacy in 2018 and was admitted to the Maltese Bar in 2019.

Jeanine’s primary areas of practice at the firm include specific aspects of insurance and inheritance law, general commercial and corporate law, as well as a particular focus on health and safety legislation. She frequently advises clients on the application of health and safety laws and reviews their health and safety policies and practices. Additionally, she is actively engaged in managing claims brought before the Office of the Arbiter for Financial Services (OAFS).

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Dr Paul Gonzi is a partner at Fenech & Fenech Advocates. His main area of specialisation are employment law, data protection and TMT Law.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Laws, Diploma of Notary Public and Doctor of Laws at the University of Malta, Paul earned his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in the subject grouping ‘Computer and Communications Law’ at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London.

Paul has extensive experience within the employment sector, from advising clients on contractual issues and drafting of policies and procedures, to challenging disputes before the Industrial Tribunal, Civil Court and Appeal Court.

In the field of Data Protection Law, Paul advises data protection and privacy policies and procedures; on notification of data controllers and data processing, engaging of data processors and sub-contractors, local and international data transfers; EU Commission Standard Contractual Clauses (‘SCCs’) and Binding Corporate Rules (‘BCRs’) and handling complaints with Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner (‘IDPC’).

Paul also forms part of the International Practice at Fenech & Fenech Advocates and is often involved in transactional work and legal due diligence exercises. He is also a contributor in various publications and also contributes towards several conferences and training sessions in his areas of specialisation.