More women than known work, but Malta still has lowest EU rate

The actual participation rate of women in the workforce in Malta is close to 42 per cent, some nine per cent higher than the figure reported by the National Statistics Office, according to a report drawn up by the University of Malta's Workers' Participation Development Centre.

However, Malta is still at the bottom of the 25 EU member and accession countries.

The study confirms that few women continue working after marriage, a clear reflection of deeply ingrained family ties.

The study was carried out among a sample of 998 women aged 18 to 60 by 25 students from the Gender and Development class, under the supervision of WPDC director Godfrey Baldacchino.

It appears from the study that for every four working women in Malta, there is a fifth who works as well, without declaring it.

Of those who claimed not to work, 69 admitted to doing some kind of 'market work'. These activities are divided between those 'working for others', such as maids, shop assistants, and hairdressers, and those 'working within one's household', such as those tending crops or livestock, and assisting family members in their business.

When these women are taken into consideration, the percentage of women active in the formal labour market is 41.7. This includes women who work either full-time or part-time.

This is still below the average female participation rate of 45.3 per cent reported in the three EU countries with the lowest rate: Greece, Italy and Spain.

As expected, younger, more educated women were more likely to participate in the formal labour market, and for longer periods.

And with more female students continuing their studies at tertiary level, the participation rate of women can be expected to increase dramatically, Prof. Baldacchino said.

The study confirms that marriage is a major cause of women withdrawing from the labour market. A substantial number of women seem to be constrained or obliged to organise their adult lives around the household.

Of the 396 married women in the sample, 35, or just nine per cent, said they worked in the labour market.

The need and responsibility felt by many women to look after their home and family remains their main obstacle to looking for paid work beyond the home. A good number did not show any willingness to change.

Only two per cent of the 337 women in the sample who said they worked productively indicated they had children who were younger than four.

A total of 154 women explained that they left the formal labour market when they married or became parents, and they harboured no desire to return.

Another 77 said they would be interested in going back to work given the right circumstances, while 41 declared their unconditional willingness to return to the labour market. Others said they were willing to start working provided it did not compromise their family responsibilities.

Home or telephone working arrangements may be very suited for such women, Prof. Baldacchino explained.

Interestingly, eight per cent of respondents declared that they did not need to work for money.

Out of 22 widows, separated or divorced women in the sample, not one declared that she worked productively.

The perception of being too old to work, although notionally still of working age, is a condition reported by five per cent.

Over six per cent of these said they stopped working because of the "teachings of the Church".

The north-south divide is very evident from the study. While 43.6 per cent of women of working age based in the north are engaged in the formal economy as opposed to the black economy, just 39.2 per cent of those in the south work. At 38.8 per cent, Gozo's declared woman participation rate is the lowest.

A number of women refused to be interviewed because their spouse objected.

Prof. Baldacchino said the results were to be forwarded to the relevant authorities, including the Social Policy Ministry, in an attempt to redress existing handicaps and facilitate integration.