Chapter 19 : Social policy, poverty and social exclusion

Abstract

The Social Security Act (Laws of Malta, 1987), constitutes the main pillar of Malta's welfare system and provides for the State's obligations to guarantee a decent standard of living to all those who due to various circumstances cannot earn their own living. Apart from this legislation that deals with social benefit provision, Malta is governed by various other legislative frameworks that address more generally the provision of social welfare; including specific provisions relating to the protection and the well-being of particular social groups. Of particular relevance, these concern: The Children and Young Persons (Care Orders) Act (Chapter 285), the Housing Act (Chapter 125), the Equal Opportunities (Persons with Disability) Act (Chapter 413), the Equality for Men and Women Act (Chapter 456), the Refugees Act (Chapter 420), the Domestic Violence Act (Chapter 481) and the Mental Health Act (Chapter 525). The basic foundations of Malta's contemporary social security system were introduced following the establishment of self-government in 1921. In 1948, old age pensions were introduced followed in 1956 by national assistance and national insurance acts, which were further developed in the 1970s and the late 1980s respectively (Azzopardi, 2011 ).