CHAPTER II. Declaration of Principles
7. Right to work
The State recognises the right of all citizens to work and shall promote such conditions as will make this right effective.
8. Promotion of culture, etc
The State shall promote the development of culture and scientific and technical research.
9. Safeguarding of landscape and historical and artistic patrimony
The State shall safeguard the landscape and the historical and artistic patrimony of the Nation.
10. Compulsory and free primary education
Primary education shall be compulsory and in State schools shall be free of charge.
11. Educational interests
- Capable and deserving students, even if without financial resources, are entitled to attain the highest grades of education.
- The State shall give effect to this principle by means of scholarships, of contributions to the families of students and other provisions on the basis of competitive examinations.
12. Protection of work
- The State shall protect work.
- It shall provide for the professional or vocational training and advancement of workers.
13. Hours of work
- The maximum number of hours of work per day shall be fixed by law.
- The worker is entitled to a weekly day of rest and to annual holidays with pay; he cannot renounce this right.
14. Equal rights of men and women
The State shall promote the equal right of men and women to enjoy all economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights and for this purpose shall take appropriate measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination between the sexes by any person, organisation or enterprise; the State shall in particular aim at ensuring that women workers enjoy equal rights and the same wages for the same work as men.
15. Minimum age for paid labour
The minimum age for paid labour shall be prescribed by law.
16. Safeguarding labour of minors
The State shall provide for safeguarding the labour of minors and assure to them the right to equal pay for equal work.
17. Social assistance and insurance
- Every citizen incapable of work and unprovided with the resources necessary for subsistence is entitled to maintenance and social assistance.
- Workers are entitled to reasonable insurance on a contributory basis for their requirements in case of accident, illness, disability, old-age and involuntary unemployment.
- Disabled persons and persons incapable of work are entitled to education and vocational training.
18. Encouragement of private economic enterprise
The State shall encourage private economic enterprise.
19. Protection of artisan trades
The State shall provide for the protection and development of artisan trades.
20. Encouragement of co-operatives
The State recognises the social function of co-operatives and shall encourage their development.
20A. Participation of Maltese citizens living abroad
The State shall facilitate the participation of Maltese citizens who live abroad in the political, social, economic and cultural life of Malta.
21. Application of the principles contained in this Chapter
The provisions of this Chapter shall not be enforceable in any court, but the principles therein contained are nevertheless fundamental to the governance of the country and it shall be the aim of the State to apply these principles in making laws.
