Dismantling Invisible Barriers: Addressing Structural Racism in Malta
- Lola Gorecki
- 1 minute ago
- 2 min read
SERIES: ANTI RACISM STRATEGY MALTA
Action Plan 6: Structural racism
Malta is addressing structural racism by reforming workplaces and policymaking processes, introducing audits, inclusive practices and stronger support systems to tackle hidden discrimination across society.
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What is Action 6 about?
Racism is often deeply embedded within a society’s history, cultural foundations, and everyday norms. This form of discrimination, known as structural racism, is reflected in how society operates, how power is distributed, and how individuals interact with public services. Even when unintentional or unconscious, structural racism is profoundly harmful and must be acknowledged and addressed through proactive, targeted policies.
Action 6 outlines four key measures to identify and dismantle these systemic barriers, particularly within the workplace and government policymaking:
Auditing Organizational Culture
To effectively combat discrimination, organisations need a clear and accurate understanding of the internal environments. The plan promotes conducting organisational culture audits to gather reliable data regarding workplace diversity, alongside concrete evidence of racism and racial discrimination occurring on the job.
To ensure these audits lead to meaningful change, they will be supported by strong whistleblowing protections and, where necessary, independent oversight.
Inclusive Policymaking
When minority voices are abscent from decision-making processes, laws and public services can unintentionally reinforce systemic inequalities. To reduce the risk of structural racism in policymaking, the government will foster direct engagement between ministry policymakers and racialised communities.
This inclusive approach will be guided by the Policymaking Tool developed by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE).
Fostering Diverse and Positive Workplaces
True inclusion goes beyond recruiting; it involves long-term success and employee wellbeing. This measure promotes expanding opportunities for diversity in hiring, particularly for racialised communities.
It also emphasises retention, career progression and intersectional diversification, ensuring a positive, supportive and inclusive working environment for all minority, ethnic or racialised employees.
Encouraging Reporting and Supporting Victims
A thriving multicultural workforce depends on strong and accessible support systems. The plan aims to increase awareness of equal treatment in employment by encouraging the reporting of workplace harassment and discrimination.
By clearly signposting reporting mechanisms and strengthening victim support services, the government seeks to ensure that these protections are fully inclusive of Malta’s increasingly diverse workforce.
Through this action, Malta recognises that combating racism requires examining the structures that shape daily life and employment. By auditing workplaces, rethinking policy making processes, and empowering individuals to report discrimination without fear, the country is taking meaningful steps to dismantle the invisible barriers that hinder marginalised communities.
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