Censu Tabone (1913-2012) : as I know him

Abstract

During his political career, Ċensu Tabone occupied various posts. He was Secretary General of the Nationalist Party, Vice-Leader of the same party (1972-1977), Member of Parliament for twenty three years (1966-1989), Employment Minister (1966-1971), Minister for Foreign Affairs (1987- 1989), and President of the Republic (1989-1994). As Minister for Employment and Social Services he proposed a measure, exceptional for those times, through which he introduced a new concept within the country’s legislation which provided for the employment of persons with special needs. The related law aimed to establish a process of registration for employment for persons with special needs and to make it compulsory for employers to engage a minimum percentage of these workers. In fact, in February 1969 Parliament approved the Act regarding the Employment of Persons with Special Needs, from which it was established that at least 2% of persons with special needs were to be considered for employment in appropriate jobs in the country’s private sector as well as in Government Departments within the Public Sector, where that quota was reached and surpassed. This act was actually piloted by Minister Tabone almost fifty years ago.