Latest developments at EU Level…

  Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011 (read more…)  Medical Devices: breast implants (read more…)   European Vacancy Monitor (read more…)  Unemployment Statistics (read more…)   Full Articles…  Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011  

According to the recently published ‘Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011’ almost all Member States have improved their innovation performance. However, innovation performance growth is slowing down and the EU is not closing the persistent gap with global innovation leaders US,Japan and South Korea.

The largest gap for the EU27 remains in terms of private sector innovation. The EU still maintains a clear lead over the emerging economies of China, Brazil, India, Russia, and South Africa. However, China is improving its innovation performance and is catching up progressively. Within the EU, Sweden confirms its position at the top of the overall ranking, followed closely by Denmark, Germany and Finland. The innovation activities of firms stand out as an important factor to achieve top positions at EU and international level.

The 2011 Innovation Union Scoreboard places Member States into the following four country groups:

• ·       Innovation leaders: Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Finland.
• ·       Innovation followers: Belgium, the UK, Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Ireland,France, Slovenia, Cyprus and Estonia with a performance close to that of the EU27 average.
• ·       Moderate innovators: Italy, Portugal, Czech Republic, Spain, Hungary, Greece, Malta,Slovakia and Poland perform below that of the EU27 average.
• ·       Modest innovators: Romania, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Latvia are well below that of the EU27 average.

Malta is one of the moderate innovators with a below average performance. Malta’s relative strengths are in intellectual assets and economic effects. Relative weaknesses are in human resources, open, excellent and attractive research systems, finance and support, linkages and entrepreneurship and innovators.

High growth is observed for new doctorate graduates, international scientific co-publications, community trademarks and knowledge-intensive services exports. A strong decline is observed for public-private co-publications and license and patent revenues from abroad. Growth performance in human resources, open, excellent and attractive research systems, intellectual assets and innovators is well above average.

Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011

Specific country research related data

 Medical Devices: breast implants

The European Commission, early in January, asked the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) to study the safety of silicone products manufactured by the Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) Company. Following the SCENIHR report, the European Commission requested further in-depth study on the potential health impact of faulty breast implants.

The SCENIHR report stresses that the currently available data is insufficient to lead to firm conclusions regarding the health risk for women with PIP silicone breast implants. The report concludes that each case needs to be assessed individually, so the advice remains that women who are worried should contact their surgeon.

Scientists also recommend that further work be undertaken as a priority to establish with greater certainty any health risks associated with PIP silicone breast implants, in order to ensure that potential risks are properly established, quantified and managed.

The Commission will also discuss with the Member States how surveillance of the medical devices can already be reinforced immediately within the existing legislative framework. In parallel a “stress test” of the legislation on medical devices is under way in order to identify how best the questions raised by this issue can be addressed in the revision of this framework already foreseen for 2012.

On the basis of available data, it is estimated that around 400 000 PIP silicone breast implants were sold worldwide. These implants were available in nearly all EU Member States – in particular they were widely used in the UK, France, Spain and Germany, where around 40 000, 30 000, 10 000 and 7 500 women respectively were implanted with PIP silicone breast implants.

Report on the safety of PIP breast implants

Medical Devices Directive

   European Vacancy Monitor

The ‘European Vacancy Monitor’ provides an overview of recent developments on the European job market. The ‘European Job Mobility Bulletin’ focuses on the analysis of vacancies posted on the EURES portal by national public employment services. These two quarterly bulletins were launched within the Europe 2020 flagship initiative, ‘An agenda for new skills and jobs’.

According to the January edition of the ‘European Vacancy Monitor’, high skill levels remain important for employment opportunities. In fact, the number of job-finders in the ‘professionals’ group has grown by 34% in the second quarter of 2011 and the number of job seekers who found jobs as ‘legislators, senior officials and managers’ has grown by 25%.

A special section dedicated to job opportunities for young jobseekers in Europe shows that:

• ·       Despite high unemployment, 20 million young men and women found a new job. 48% of the job finders in 2010 were young persons. These count for most of the movement on the labour market (new entrants, job changers).
• ·       The share of young jobseekers who found a job compared to all age categories is high for professionals (higher qualified), in services (clerks, service and sales workers), while young persons are under-represented in traditional occupational groups such as elementary occupations, plant and machine operators, craft and trade related workers.

According to the January issue of the ‘European Job Mobility Bulletin’, good job opportunities are available for:

• Architects, engineers and related professionals
• Computing professionals
• Building finishers and related trades workers
• Office clerks
• Physical and engineering science technicians

European Vacancy Monitor January 2012

European Job Mobility Bulletin January 2012

EURES Portal

    Unemployment Statistics

According to Eurostat, the euro area unemployment rate was 10.4% in December 2011, unchanged compared with November. It was 10.0% in December 2010. The EU27unemployment rate was 9.9% in December 2011, also unchanged compared with November. It was 9.5% in December 2010.

Among the Member States, the lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Austria (4.1%), the Netherlands (4.9%) and Luxembourg (5.2%), and the highest in Spain (22.9%), Greece(19.2% in October 2011) and Lithuania (15.3% in the third quarter of 2011).

Compared with a year ago, the unemployment rate fell in fourteen Member States, remained unchanged in Ireland and rose in twelve Member States. The largest falls were observed inEstonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The highest increases were registered in Greece, Cyprus andSpain.

In December 2011, the youth unemployment rate was 22.1% in the EU27 and 21.3% in theeuro area. In December 2010 it was 21.0% and 20.6% respectively.

The unemployment rate for Malta was 6.5% in December 2011, unchanged when compared to November 2011. In December 2010 the rate was 6.6%.

The unemployment rate for youths in Malta was 7.1% in December 2011, unchanged when compared to November 2011. It was 13.6% in December 2010. ]]> http://www.mcwo.net/2012/02/meusac/feed/ 0 http://www.mcwo.net/2012/02/unlocking-the-female-potential-research-report/ http://www.mcwo.net/2012/02/unlocking-the-female-potential-research-report/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:05:55 +0000 mcwo http://www.mcwo.net/?p=700 Continue reading →]]>

Dear Sir / Madam,

As part of the EU co-funded project ESF 3.47 Unlocking the Female Potential, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) has recently launched a new publication entitled ‘Unlocking the Female Potential Research Report’.  Topics covered in the report are:

• The Situation of the Male and Female Entrepreneurs and Vulnerable Workers in Malta 
• The Relevance of Economic Independence to the Maltese Female 
• Analyzing Inactivity From a Gender Perspective 
• Gozitan Women in Employment

If you are interested to obtain copies of this Research Report, kindly reply to maria-theresa.portelli@gov.mt or call NCPE on 2590 3850.  

If you attended the Conference held on 16^th January 2012 during which this Research Report was launched and you already collected a copy of this Report but you need more copies, do not hesitate to contact us.  

We appreciate if you could also forward this email to your contact lists.

Thanks and regards,

Maria Theresa

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has just released a ground-breaking report on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity! The report may be accessed directly through the following links:

This is the first ever report of the UN to tackle the subject of discrimination and violence targeted against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. The report affirms that governments have the duty to protect all persons from discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity under international human rights law.

The Chair gave a brief background of MCWO, its establishment, its objectives and its member organisations including our affiliation to the European Women’s Lobby. We explained the issues we are working on, focusing mainly on women in the labour market and the need for the extension the maternity leave. A copy of MCWO press releases on maternity leave were given to Prof Scicluna as were MCWO submissions on the budget that include proposals on women in the labour market.

The Chair submitted MCWO list of proposals on changes to the 2006 Domestic Violence Act, to the strengthening of structures, particularly the Commission on Domestic Violence, and to the need to increase both financial and human resources. The need for Maltese legislation and structures to be in line with the Council of Europe Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence was emphasised in order for Malta to be in a position to ratify this Convention in the shortest delay possible.

We went through the proposals one by one, highlighting the need to redefine ‘household member’, the onus of reporting/forgiving on the victim, the need for perpetrators’ to be seen to be answering society for their actions, the courts’ discretion in discontinuing hearing cases, among various other issues raised. Emphasis was also made on the need of training for all stake holders particularly the police. Inter-disciplinary processes need to be introduced for effective actions as well as clear protocols for stakeholders.

The meeting was concluded by asking the Minister when the amendments to the law would be presented to Parliament. She said that there was quite a workload but promised to do her best to include the amendments to this law in the cabinet’s agenda.

Malta has again ranked 83^rd place in The Global Gender Gap Index 2011. This is the same ranking as in 2010, however last year there were 134 countries listed. This year there were 135 countries covered, showingMalta’s position has actually fallen in its ranking. The countries ranked below Malta include Armenia, Hungary, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Tajikistan and Turkey.

Malta has been falling in its ranking since 2006 when it stood at the 71^st place. The worst year ever between 2006 and 2011 was 2009 when the ranking fell to 88^th place.

The worst showing, as in previous years, was under the Economic Participation and Opportunity section where Malta was ranked 110^th falling six places from the 104^th in 2010.

The Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations (MCWO) expresses its concern at the lack of progress being made in reaching the government’s objective of ensuring de facto equality in Maltese society in line with United Nations and European Union commitments. Highlighted are the contrasting positions registered in this Index where under Educational Attainment Malta has again been ranked in the first place whilst the overall ranking stood at 83^rd place.

In spite of the number of incentives introduced to attract women to the labour market and the slow increase in women’s participation rate,Malta is still falling back in this sector when compared to other countries on a global basis. This means that, as MCWO has highlighted on several occasions,Malta is not benefitting fully from the considerable investment being made in education to the detriment of our economy.

The Government seems to be aware that the incentives in place to date have not been effective enough and need revisiting so that they may be more focused on parents’ needs, particularly those of single parents. A step in the right direction was Government’s commitment to extend maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks over a two year period. Government is, for the first time, taking on the financing of this incentive. This was one of the proposals the MCWO submitted to the Finance Ministry in its Budget proposals. MCWO sees this incentive as a positive step that should result in an upgrade ofMalta’s ranking in the Global Gender Gap Index in the coming years.

The third sector covered by this Index is Health and Survival where Malta has kept its place at 72^nd ranking. However, under Political Empowerment, the fourth sector analysed, Malta has lost one place and fallen from 51^st to 52^nd place. In the political sphere, women are visible by their low numbers. This is also very true in decision-making levels where women make up only 3% of appointments to board rooms.

In January 2010, the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, during a visit to Malta, is reported to have highlighted the fact that Malta was the only country among the 27 EU member states that did not have women MEPs. Prof Buzek argued that half the candidates should be women, and pointed out that in Sweden, 65% of MPs are women.

In March 2010, the EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding challenged publicly listed companies in Europe to sign a “Women on the Board Pledge forEurope” by March 2012. This pledge represents a voluntary commitment by publicly listed companies to increase women’s presence on corporate boards to 30% by 2015 and to 40% by 2020.

Reding declared at the time that “If this has happened by March 2012, I will congratulate the European business world. If it has not happened, you can count on my regulatory creativity” referring to the introduction of quotas. It is not known what actions Malta is undertaking to reach the target set by Commissioner Reding.

In a report issued by the United Nations in October 2010, the Government of Malta was asked to make use of temporary special measures, under various forms, in those areas where women are under-represented or in a disadvantageous position and to allocate more resources, where necessary, to accelerate the process of the advancement of women.

This recommendation is very much in line with Article 45 (11) of the Constitution of Malta that “…. provides for the taking of special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women, ….”

The MCWO whilst noting recent developments, particularly the extension of maternity leave, looks forward to other government initiatives that will help to raiseMalta’s rating to a respectable placing in the Global Gender Gap Index.

Renee Laiviera

Chairperson

The MCWO has been following developments with regard to violence against women since its establishment in 2004.  As an affiliate of the European Women’s Lobby (EWL), MCWO’s representative actively participates in the work of the EWL Observatory on violence against women including work on the EWL position papers to the European Commission on this area of concern.

This work has instigated the MCWO to submit, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the following proposals to the authorities concerned calling for the strengthening of legislation, policies, structures and resources to effectively help victims/survivors of violence.  These proposals were actually discussed with Minister Dolores Cristina some weeks ago.  We take this opportunity to emphasise the importance of taking action at the earliest because of the seriousness of the concerns under consideration.

Legislation

1.  Legislation should cover all forms of violence against women in line with the Council of Europe Convention on the Elimination of Violence against Women (CAHVIO) as well as any areas not yet covered by national law that is highlighted under CAHVIO.

2.  Legislation should be gender specific, that is, it should specifically address violence against women thus acknowledging that in the vast majority of cases the victims are women (EU).  Again this is in line with the (CAHVIO) as well as in the draft EU Directive in progress.  According to the European Women’s Lobby (EWL) Barometer there are several EU member states that already have this kind of legislation.

3.  There is the need to do away in national legislation, where applicable, with the current provision that proceedings depend on the complaint of the victims who can then withdraw the said complaint.  Considering that violence is a crime against society, the Courts should continue hearing the case even when the victim forgives the aggressor. Thus, (i) the current situation where the victim can be exposed to pressure and further abuse from third parties, including the aggressor, in order to forgive the perpetrator and/or withdraw their complaint, will be removed.  Furthermore, (ii) the current circumstances affording the possibility to the perpetrator to walk away without punishment is addressed and the latter answers to society for his actions.

4.  Courts currently have the discretion of discontinuing cases which fall under the domestic violence act, and which therefore do not require the complaint of the victim but are prosecuted ex ufficio, if the victim forgives the aggressor, and makes such a request.  This decision should be based on the wellbeing of all those concerned, especially any minors.  The common practice seems to be that if it is so requested, then the cases are discontinued.  This may need to be tightened.  If, for any reason, the Courts decide not to continue hearing the case, the law should require the Judge to explain, formalise and justify his/her decision in this regard.

5.  Definition of ‘household member’ needs to be amended so as to include all those in a domestic relationship irrespective of whether they live together, they have more than one partner,  or intend to marry or not.  These would include, but not exclusively, couples who are in a relationship whether living together or not, as well as persons who may have more than one partner simultaneously.

6. Cases of violence against women in the criminal court should be heard with urgency especially in cases of domestic violence.   Although the current law requires that cases in the civil court where domestic violence is involved are heard with urgency (within 4 days) this is rarely happening.  This needs to be tightened.

7. The term ‘urgent’ should be clearly defined and backed up by specific protocols for the police to have standard guidelines and checklists regarding their response to reports of violence against women and domestic violence.

8.  The police should be empowered to remove the aggressor from the home which decision should later be endorsed or otherwise by the Courts.  This would enable the victim to remain living safely in the home  with her children.

9.  When the perpetrator is a repeat offender, or has had other reports of abuse made against him, great care should be taken before the granting of bail. A psychiatric report on the perpetrator should be requested prior to granting of bail, to help ensure the safety of the victim/s.

10. Moreover, should bail be granted, it is recommended that electronic tagging is used, as in several other EU countries, to keep tabs on the perpetrator  and ensure more effective protection of the victim.

11. MCWO is of the opinion that the crimes of rape and violent assault should be defined as crimes against the physical and mental integrity of women and as a form of discrimination that seriously inhibits women’s ability to enjoy their human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis of equality with men.  The retention of the present regulations defining rape and violent assault as crimes against the honour of the family can be regarded as incongruous particularly since the introduction of the Domestic Violence Law in 2006.  This recommendation was also made in November 2010 by the CEDAW Committee of experts following Malta’s submission of its National Report on implementation of CEDAW.  Legislation in this regard should also be strengthened in order not to leave any room for ambiguities.

Structures

12. The terms of the Commission on Domestic Violence should be widened to encompass all violence against women and should be strengthened by upgrading the position of Chairperson to that of Commissioner.

13.  The Commission should be given adequate human and financial resources to enable it to carry out its remit.

14.  The Minister responsible should take appropriate action to implement the Commission’s recommendations.  Failing this, the Minister should explain the reasons why no action or other action is taken within six months of their submission.

15.  Legal professionals:  Consultation/training programmes should be organised for legal professionals to raise awareness regarding the legal tools available to protect victims, pre, during and after the court proceedings, currently as well as following any amendments to the law.

Renee Laiviera

Chair, MCWO

28 November 2011

[maltatoday]

The introduction of two weeks paternal leave would have been a positive measure, Renee Laiviera, chairperson of the Maltese Confederation of Women’s Organisations told The Malta Independent. MCWO also made its proposals regarding maternity leave, and that the extension in maternity leave at least matches the EU standard of 20 weeks for various reasons, including for the sake of the health of the mother and baby.

[the malta independent]

The Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations (MCWO) welcomes the Government’s declaration in the Budget Speech on the increase in the duration of maternity leave by two weeks in 2012 and another two weeks in 2013.  It was also said that employees will not be getting their full salary as for the current statutory 14 weeks of maternity leave but will be receiving the basic rate of €160 per week, which cost will be borne by government.

Although MCWO’s initial reaction is a positive one there are a number of issues that need clarification.  Firstly the extent of government’s commitment to the introduction of this measure is not at all clear.  So much so that the Minister of Finance felt the need to state that this measure will be proposed for discussion at MCESD.  If government is shouldering the financial cost and is truly committed to the increase in the duration of maternity leave, then this measure should be implemented in the shortest time frame possible.  MCWO understands the MCESD’s important advisory role, and as such this entity can give valuable advice on the implementation of the extension of maternity leave, however, its introduction should not depend on its approval, particularly after the government’s clear statement on the length of the extension, the time frame for its introduction and the allowance that is being paid.

Secondly, whilst MCWO appreciates the fact that government is itself investing in this measure, it would have been preferable if the extra four weeks were introduced on full pay rather than on a basic allowance of €160 per week.  The uptake of the extension and its attractiveness will depend on its cost effectiveness and the financial stability of the parent/s.  Women as mothers should not be financially penalised for having children.  The economic return of an increase in the birth rate is definitely worth the initial investment.

Thirdly, whilst appreciating that, as declared by the Minister of Finance, the participation rate of women in the labour market over the last ten years, has increased from 32% to 40.2%, it is still the lowest among the 27 EU member states.  Moreover, much work still needs to be done to reach the EU target of 65% by the year 2015.  Where maternity leaves are longest, female employment rates were highest.  This was the result of an OECD study on the link between the length of maternity leave and employment rates for women in 2006 that cited as examplesIcelandwith over 80% andSwedenwith over 70% which rates compared very positively with the OECD average of 57%.  Therefore, MCWO proposes that government should start planning for further extending the maternity leave to 20 weeks in the shortest time possible in line with the proposed EU Directive on the subject.

MCWO emphasises women’s extensive participation and contribution to the economy at all times and in multiple ways, even if this input is not always recognised rather than acknowledged and valued.  The economic crisis and demographic changes have necessitated new ways of thinking and government has to be prepared to take bold decisions to bring about effective development that will strengthen our economy for the interest of society as a whole.

Renee Laiviera

Chairperson

MCWO

15 November 2011