Extending sick leave: ‘Taking care of sick child is non-debatable’, FORUM says

As the Malta Employers Association dubbed "crazy idea" a government proposal allowing parents to utilise their sick leave when their kids are unwell, the Forum Unions Maltin came out in favour of the proposed measure.

"There is a clear consensus among stakeholders, including within the MCESD, to encourage more women and carers of children to participate in the labour market.  It is therefore high time that carers of young children are in actuality not only encouraged but enabled to participate in the labour market. The Government's proposal is thus a step in the right direction," Forum President Paul Pace said.

The department of employment is currently examining how the measure, an electoral pledge, could be best introduced.

Pace argued that while family-friendly measures such as free childcare centres important to increase participation in the labour marked, such initiatives however did not cover the option of taking care of a child when they fall sick.

"Parents have to stay at home since no responsible parent can send their children to a care centre or to school during periods of illness. Moreover, no sick child merits to be sent off to school or to a child care centres when they are sick. Every reasonable person understands that the parents or caregivers have to attend to their sick children and clearly this is not a debatable issue," Forum said.

It added it could not "remotely understand" how the MEA could have called the proposed measure "a crazy idea".

"How can this proposal be called a crazy idea?  Does the MEA expect a sick child to attend school or child care centres?" Pace said.

Since the idea was first floated by Labour during the March 2013 general elections, then included in its electoral manifesto, the Malta Employers Association said it was categorically against the measure, citing risk of abuse and an increase in absenteeism.

The MEA has argued that sick leave was "an individual entitlement that should not be transferable".

But according to Forum, the "excuse of abuse of sick leave is also nonsensical, since sick leave certificates can still be issued for the children which can be presented by the parents or caregivers".

"In this respect, at the very least, a capping system can be introduced whereby a specific number of days can be utilized in respect of sick children," Pace said.

"We encourage the government to implement such an important scheme if increased participation in the labour market by caregivers is to be promoted."