Strengthening the Rights of Europeans

MEP David Casa outlined his work as a European parliamentarian over the last 5 years, and also during the 20 years of his long career as an MEP, since Malta joined the EU in 2004.

“The best thing I did is the Work-Life Balance Directive,” he answered when asked by moderator Claire Agius Ordway, “for the father for whom the best day in life is that of the birth of his child, now, instead of having just one day, he has 10 days with that newborn child”.

He explained how this European law, on which he led the work in the EP, introduced minimum standards throughout Europe, including Malta, which gives more rights to parents and carers, as well as a right for workers to request flexible arrangements.

The European Social Fund, whereby MEP Casa was also rapporteur for the EP, is another highlight of his tenure, and is today being used in Malta to help students sit for O'Level exams – aid that didn't exist before joining the EU.

He also touched upon the Social Climate Fund, on which he was co-rapporteur, and which is intended not only to help vulnerable people through the climate transition, but also to do so in a sustainable manner, and “to help the elderly not only pay the electricity bill but to have access to other types of energies to reduce that electricity bill”.

He explained that these funds help people, SMEs and employers of fewer than 10 people to have solar panels, better insulation, and non-polluting cars.

He also insisted on the point that EU membership means not only funds, but also the protection of democracy, rights and freedom. On the rule of law, he said that he sought and found the help of the EP in applying pressure to help Malta overcome its challenges and that this same work is being done in the EP vis-à-vis other countries, including Hungary and Poland.

Asked about abortion, he emphasised that only the Maltese Parliament can introduce abortion in the country. He also spoke about media freedom, the journalism prize named after Daphne Caruana Galizia awarded each year by the EP that he laboured to establish when he was elected Quaestor, and the directive that the EU now has against SLAPP cases.

He also highlighted the EU Disability Card, on which a vote in the EP is foreseen in two weeks’ time. It's intended to grant a formal status to persons with disabilities, recognised across the EU. In a nutshell, the EU Disability Card ensures that all benefits and information available to a disabled person who is an EU citizen are made accessible to nationals of other EU countries who move to that country.

He also stressed the importance of voting in the European elections, and highlighted the joint forces of all current MEPs in most of the EP’s work.