Job hunters applying for positions covered by a collective agreement will soon have the right to request information about their prospective salary and how much it will increase over time, under changes announced Friday. The changes, included in an EU directive that Malta had to transpose into law this month, will also extend to those already in employment seeking information about their future earnings prospects. In a statement, the Social Dialogue Ministry said all workers applying for a new job, as well as those already in employment, will be given the right to request “any information” about their pay and other benefits. Those applying for a position will also be given the right to ask what the job requires and what will be expected of them. Employers will be expected to provide the requested information within two months. The changes are due to take effect on August 27 and form part of the EU Pay Transparency Directive. Malta had until the end of this month to transpose the directive into law and next June will have to publish its first pay gap report as mandated by the directive. Announcing the measures, Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul said the changes had been brought in to increase “transparency in salaries and inclusivity in the workplace, so that workers can verify that they are being paid fairly and equally”. Ellul said the measure would also be beneficial to employers by ensuring they are in line with the directive when it comes into force next year.