MCWO urges government to rethink opposition on maternity leave extension

The MCWO noted that aside from Belgium and Portugal, all member states opposed the European Commission’s plans to legislate for a 20 week maternity leave thus extending it by six weeks and for the introduction of a two week paternity leave. 

It also noted how Malta opposed these plans reportedly because of the heavy financial burden as well as the inappropriateness of the timing, considering the current economic climate in Europe. 

“The MCWO considers the extension of the maternity leave as an investment for various reasons,” it said. “The low birth rate among the Maltese population is one of them.”

The confederation said that fertility rates among Maltese women had dropped from 1.48 in 2003 to 1.44 in 2009, despite how the average EU fertility rate rose to 1.6 per woman in 2009 from 1.47 in 2003. 

“Malta, together withLuxembourgand Portugal, arethe only member states registering a drop in the birth rate inthe past 5 years,” the MCWO said, emphasising that Malta’s birth rate is not being addressed by the high number of women who are out of the labour market.

“Women’s participation stands at 40%,” it noted. “Neither working women nor stay-at-home mums are having children, the former because of lack of work/life balance, the later because of lack of finances.”

It said that the figures should be enough “to push the Malta government not only to vote in favour of such a measure but to consider introducing the proposed maternity leave directive in spite of developments at EU level.”

It also pointed to estimates made by MEP Edward Scicluna who said that financial outlays – about €5 million – resulting from the maternity leave extension can have a considerable return to the Maltese economy, including the business sector. 

“Any outlay should be considered as moneys well invested,” the confederation stressed.

“Moreover, throughout the EU, parenthood continues to have a significant long-term impact on women's participation in the labour market. Maltese mothers are not ready to return to the labour market after 14 weeks of maternity leave,” the MWCO said.

The confederation referred to an “eye-opener” study that found “only 23% of first-time mothers had returned to employment after 6 months from giving birth, adding that the maternity leave extension is a“golden opportunity that Maltamust not miss out on even at this stage of developments.”

Scicluna’s study found that besides the proven positive benefits on infant and maternal health, the implications for jump-starting the low female labour force are significant:  “This difference can be to a maximum of 9%,” the MWCO said.

MCWO said it understands employers’ position, who currently carry the full financial cost of the 14 weeks maternity leave, and reiterated its position that the “cost should be shouldered also by government and looked upon as an investment not an outlay.”

The subsequent result, however, will also be more taxes, more national insurance contributions and more income from VAT poured into the economy, besides the higher productivity, it said.

“Moreover not only will women be encouraged to continue in their employment but it will be easier for them to consider having more children.  More women in the labour market will indeed sustain the current and future pensions’ bill,” the MCWO said.

The MCWO also called for government to ensure that women have all the necessary structures to work effectively, such as extending school hours, and providing childcare.

It urged government to rethink its position regarding the extension of the maternity leave and consider its introduction at the earliest possible.