The Malta Labour Party welcomed the Confederation of Women’s Association’s document entitled CARE, however, there must be a political will to implement proposals, MLP spokeswoman Helena Dalli said.

“We have been saying for the past 20 years that the number of gainfully occupied women must rise,” said the Labour MP. However, little had been done in the field of child and elderly care. The lack of such services compelled women to take on the burden, thus forfeiting their careers.

Ms Dalli criticised the government for promising to establish childcare facilities and backing out of its promises. Cases in point she said, were the promised childcare at Air Malta, failed opening of childcare in collaboration with the Zejtun local council and the closing down of the childcare facility for hospital workers.

While praising the document for appealing to the media to endorse the need of childcare facilities so that parents would be able to balance their parental responsibilities with their careers, Ms Dalli stressed the need for putting more pressure on the political class that had the power to change things.