Presently in Malta, only 37.7% of the female population is in declared paid employment. From single mothers and young women who stopped studying once compulsory education was over, to women who have children and who often decide not to work, the general figures show that Malta’s female working population is the lowest when compared to other EU countries

According to recent research carried out by a local independent research company, women generally feel that they are primarily responsible for nurturing the family and looking after the house. In a society where women tend to have children later in life it also emerged that many women started out by reaching high levels of job-satisfaction and responsibility at work but then stopped working after having their children.

ETC recently published a research study on the conditions women with families consider necessary for their return to work – taking top priority are family-friendly hours, flexi-time and working from home, also known as tele-working. Unsurprisingly, women are more likely to work part-time than men. Indeed, 60% of those in part-time jobs are women. Significantly, the percentage of women whose primary job is part-time has been increasing by approximately 25% over the past 5 years.

The decision to work, or to refrain from doing so, can be determined by a number of factors which are often related to economic and social resources, work arrangements and the ready availability of childcare services. Going back to work after having a baby is also related to cultural attitudes in general, as mentioned earlier. But these attitudes are changing – in the past, women were expected to stay at home and raise the kids but recent research has discovered that when a mother is able to combine bringing up children and working can have a positive effect on the whole family. As more women return to work for whatever reason, they realise that there are plenty of benefits that they and their families can gain from. The most obvious and often the main reason for returning to work is purely financial. A salary represents freedom, independence and a better quality of life for the whole family. But going back to work is much more than extra income. Being in employment allows women to meet more people, gain new experiences and increase their self-confidence since one’s talents and skills are developed further. The working mother’s guilt factor is not to be dismissed easily. There is often internal emotional turmoil when she tries to decide if going out to work will have a good or negative effect on the children. The fundamental thing to remember, albeit not that easy, is that being a working mother does not in any way compromise the ability to be a good mother or the love felt towards one’s children. Keep the benefits clearly in mind and try to remember that a working mother can be an inspiration to her children, particularly to daughters. Watching a mother balance work, family, house and life in general sends out the message that women can have it all and can do whatever it is they want to do. A happy mother is more likely to be a good mother so whether staying at home or going out to work makes the individual happy, that will undoubtedly have an impact on her family.

However, a woman needs the support of her family if she is to go back to work. Discussions about house work and family duties need to be taken seriously between the couple in question. Men can and should play an important role to ensure that their spouse does not end up doing everything on her own. The modern man wants to be more involved. A glance at morning school runs, parents’ days and even the number of fathers at playgrounds clearly show that men are already more involved in their children’s lives. Research has proven that men who contribute towards the house send out very positive messages to both their sons, who are brought up to support and respect women, and their daughters, who learn that a supportive man will enable them to pursue careers and jobs. As with everything else it’s the little things that count

Realistically, women who want to return to work look for part-time or flexi-time work which will allow them to have some quality time with the children, overseeing their homework and the million other jobs women tend to take care of. The knowledge that her husband is going to pick up the shopping and take care of school lunches will most certainly ease the burden.

In recent years, the government has set up incentives and schemes that are extremely attractive to women who are thinking of returning to work. The law protects pregnant women from dismissal from work, while it also ensures that they have maternity leave, which has now increased to 16 weeks and will increase by a further 2 weeks next year. There are tax incentives for women returning to work that result in up to €2000 in tax credit. These tax incentives extend to women who took more than the usual maternity leave. The government provides tax deductions for childcare services right up to kindergarten level. There is the prorata national insurance contribution for part-time workers. Needless to say, women in employment will receive a pension later in their life. ETC provides free training which enables females to learn new skills.

Going back to work or staying at home is a common dilemma among women today. It was so much easier some 20 to 30 years ago. Women stayed at home and the men went out to work, bringing a salary. Times have changed, the cost of living is rising and women are more aware of the available opportunities. The prospects for women in the workplace are all the brighter for the endless training schemes, attractive tax rebates and general advise women need. Whether entering the job world after a long absence or looking to move up to better things or simply a work space that allows a woman to maximise her capabilities, a woman has a place and many choices in the work place. And the benefits are very attractive and beneficial to herself, her family, businesses and society at large.

Daniel Gros is Director of the Center for European Policy Studies.

Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2011.

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