Government is committed to helping women enter the world of work - Herrera

Parliamentary secretary tours Smoochies factory • Video by Ray Attard

The government is committed to helping more women enter the world of work and the recent budget presented measures to help keep up the momentum in this area.

Parliamentary secretary for culture and local government Jose Herrera spoke after taking a tour of the Smoochies factory in Zebbug, which produces healthy smoothies.

Initiatives include free admittance to child care centres, a breakfast club for young students, a special fund that pays out 14 weeks of maternity leave and an increase in maternity leave benefits for women who are self-employed.

“Our message is that the government will keep creating initiatives to encourage women into the world of work and entrepreneurship,” said Herrera.

These include seed capital for small and medium enterprises and the introduction of fiscal incentives for the creation of venture capital funds aimed towards local businesses.

“The country is headed in a positive direction and this is being recognized both locally and abroad,” Herrera said.