The National Council of Women welcomes the introduction of the Maternity Leave Trust Fund, a pool that will contribute to maternity leave of women employed in the private sector.  The recent increase of female participation in the labour market, including those of child bearing age, may not demonstrate that there is gender discrimination since the employer is contributing to maternity leave compensation, but in actual fact discrimination still exists.

Recently, private companies in Malta have been contributing  to the 14 weeks maternity leave (except for four weeks contribution by the government), contrary to employers in all EU countries, where maternity leave wages are either refunded after having been paid by the employer, or directly paid by the government. The increase of four weeks maternity leave in recent years had created heated discussions, although it was the result of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that established 18 weeks as the minimum health and safety period of protection for maternity.

Employers shall still continue, albeit in a different manner, to contribute to maternity leave through the payment of the equivalent of 0.3 per cent of salaries of all employees into the fund, irrespective of gender, which will serve as a resource for all employers in the private sector. Some perceive this measure as unfair to those companies that perhaps employ men only (in actual fact are women employees in these companies doing the less visible work?). Regretfully, maternity is seen as a mother issue, when in actual fact it is also a father issue and a family issue if not also a societal issue. Women should not be penalised when becoming pregnant, but should be supported and given the necessary space for healthy motherhood. The contribution to the fund is not a burden as one might initially perceive, it is a win-win measure as employers we will be in a better position to recruit the best of our human capital. It is more than just a Corporate Social Responsibility; it is a contribution to society that will also serve to eliminate gender discrimination in the recruitment process. 

The National Council of Women is optimistic that this Trust Fund will be successful in achieving the desired consensus. NCW also recognizes the fact that many employers employ women because they are qualified, skilled, efficient and hard-working individuals who give added value to the company that employs and consequently to the economic growth of the  company.

Many employers are aware of the valid service female workers give to the organisation. Refunding the wages paid for maternity leave to the employer will emphasise this fact even further. 

 

Mary Gaerty

President

National Council of Women