After the Nationalist Party announced a series of proposals to improve work-life balance - proposals that were widely welcomed across Maltese society - we have now witnessed a panicked Government making a gimmick announcement, the PN said in a statement Monday.

In a hastily arranged press conference, the Government presented a single measure as if it were a real solution for parents seeking a better balance between work and family life.

However, the only measure introduced today by the Labour Government, relating to emergency leave, does not actually offer anything new to Maltese families. Instead, it will simply take away from employees' existing leave and sick leave entitlements. Furthermore, it places the burden on employers, who will continue to bear the cost of this leave, as they already do, the PN said.

This is in stark contrast to the Natiinalist Party's proposals for increased leave entitlements, which would be fully funded by the Government, ensuring that no additional burden is placed on employers.

The Government is reactive rather than proactive, always caught off guard whenever the Opposition presents concrete solutions in favour of families. In its panic, it rushed out a proposal tied to urgent family leave instead of adopting a long-term plan to tackle these challenges properly.

It is clear that the Government is merely reacting to the positive proposals announced last week by the PN, the party said. The proposals were based on serious studies and expert confirmation.

As the Chamber of SMEs stated last week, the country urgently needs change. Malta requires a government with a clear vision that plans wisely and for the long term, rather than one that merely reacts, the PN said.

Unlike Labour, a new Nationalist Government would implement a holistic plan that equally supports workers, employers, and the self-employed. This would be done through a well-thought-out and structured reform, including:

1.                 Expanding parental leave to give families more time together

• Paternity leave to be increased from 10 to 15 days, recognising the growing role of fathers in childcare.
• Parental leave to be extended from 8 to 28 weeks, to be equally shared between both parents and non-transferable, promoting shared responsibility.
• Maternity leave to be extended from 18 to 24 weeks, with the final six weeks transferable to the other parent if desired.
• A total of one full year of paid leave between maternity and parental leave, providing essential flexibility for families.

2.        Government-funded leave for all workers, including the self-employed

• Parental leave, paternity leave, and the increase in maternity leave will be funded by the Government for all workers.
• Parental leave payments will be equivalent to the national average salary, significantly higher than the current sick leave rate.
• Self-employed workers will receive the same rights as employees, ensuring fair treatment across all work sectors.
• The Government will cover these costs to reduce the financial burden on businesses and employers.

3.         Support for childcare and remote working

• Financial assistance for parents who choose to stay at home with their children during the second year after birth-equivalent to current childcare subsidies.
• Tax credits for private companies implementing remote working models, recognising the benefits of flexible work arrangements.
• Encouraging more businesses to adopt remote working and flexible work policies to enhance productivity and employee well-being.

Through these measures, a new Nationalist Government would ensure that families receive the support they need to thrive, businesses are encouraged to adopt modern working solutions and the self-employed are not left behind.

The PN said it believes that a well-balanced labour market is key to economic success and social well-being.