Workers in Malta will soon be entitled to sick leave from their very first day on the job, the government has announced.Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul revealed the change during a Times of Malta business event, saying the reform will fix long-standing inconsistencies across different sectors.Until now, sick leave rules varied widely, with some workers, particularly in industries like construction, having to wait up to a year before qualifying.“We addressed this anomaly, and now everyone can have sick leave from the time their employment begins,” Ellul said.Under the new system, sick leave will be calculated on a pro-rata basis depending on when someone starts their job. So if you begin halfway through the year, you’ll be entitled to half your annual sick leave.More Changes ComingThe reform is part of a broader push to modernise Malta’s employment laws, many of which date back to the 1950s.Other key updates include:Standardised leave: Bereavement and marriage leave will now be set at three days for all workersEqual pay for youths: 16- and 18-year-olds will receive the same minimum wage, removing age-based pay gapsFairer wages: Minimum wage will now reflect different working hours across sectorsFree uniforms: Employers must provide uniforms and protective gear at no costGender-neutral terms: Outdated job titles like “watchman” will be replaced with inclusive languageOfficials say the changes will simplify employment rules and make them fairer across the board.And this is just the beginning, further reforms tackling issues like overtime and public holidays are expected next.What do you make of this?•