[WATCH] President urges action on rising gender wage gap

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca has urged the authorities to take necessary action in the wake of the growing gender wage gap in Malta

President urges action on rising gender wage gap
President urges action on rising gender wage gap
Addressing a conference at the General Workers’ Union headquarters, the President noted that the gender wage gap in Malta grew to 10.6% in the final quarter of 2016. Photo: James Bianchi/MediaToday
Addressing a conference at the General Workers’ Union headquarters, the President noted that the gender wage gap in Malta grew to 10.6% in the final quarter of 2016. Photo: James Bianchi/MediaToday

President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca has urged the authorities to take necessary action in the wake of recent statistics which show that the gender wage gap in Malta has increased.

Addressing a conference at the General Workers’ Union headquarters, she noted that the gender wage gap in Malta increased significantly from 4.5% to 10.6% in the final quarter of 2016, according to Eurostat figures.

“Although this is still under the EU average of 16.1%, the authorities should not remain passive in front of this challenge,” Coleiro Preca said.

She also warned that Malta is ranked last in Europe on the amount of women in high political and business positions, with the numbers coming down to 28.2%.

Only 5% of board members of the largest companies in Malta are women.

“The female perspective is missing from the policy-taking process, which is worrying,” the President warned.  

She noted that although the introduction of free child-care has led to more women seeking employment, she warned that around a quarter of Maltese women are still unable to find a job due largely to family responsibilities, and particularly, the short school hours.

According to the NSO, only around 20 men in the entire country cited family responsibilities as the reason why they were out of work.

Photos: James Bianchi/MediaToday
Photos: James Bianchi/MediaToday

“Society must take the necessary action to change this prevalent mentality and ensure that parents share responsibility when looking after children,” Coleiro Preca said.