The Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations (MCWO) is most disappointed that the majority of EU member states, including Malta voted against the European Parliament’s proposed maternity leave extension from 14 to 20 weeks. Malta as a result is the most affected of all the EU Countries having the lowest maternity leave at a minimum of 14 weeks. The majority of EU countries already offer way above this minimum period, even up to and over a one year period and all financially supported by their respective governments, so these countries are much less affected and with much less to lose.
The MCWO along with other local organizations had called for the Malta government to support the costs of maternity leave and not leave the entire financial burden up to the employers. However, arguments in favour of the extension of maternity leave appear to have fallen on deaf ears with the priority being given solely to short term economic considerations. One of the saddest set-backs in all of this is that the proposed two weeks paternity leave was also opposed.
Furthermore, the Malta Government is not taking on board the fact that among EU member States, Malta has the highest inactivity rate, at 51.1%, of women aged between 25 and 54 years (Eurostat figures issued today). The lowest inactivity rate is Slovenia with a rating of 12.1%. In Malta 40% of prime working aged women are outside the labour market because of family responsibilities in comparison with 1% in Denmark. Moreover, Malta again headed the list for women aged 55-64 with an inactivity rate up at 87.9%.
Despite the set-back the MCWO is satisfied the EU proposal is still on the agenda for further debate at a later stage. Hopefully, next time round the local authorities will give weight to the long term issue that would support the country’s economic growth – which is keeping women in the labour market. The expense involved is not a burden but an investment for long term gains.
