Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Family and Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina were yesterday presented with a policy proposal document on Helping Families to Balance Work and Home, drawn up by the National Family Commission.

The commission was set up to advise the government on how to strengthen the Maltese family. The document specifically addresses the balance between responsibilities at the workplace and towards the family.

It was not the first time the issue had been tackled and a major breakthrough was marked when the government, three years ago, introduced avant-garde working concepts, such as parental leave and reduced hours, in the public sector, the Prime Minister said.

Dr Gonzi said he wanted to see an analysis of the impact of these measures on the public sector to determine the positive aspects of the initiative. He had no doubt that a study would indicate clearly that the impact of these measures was positive and served to help not only employees but also their families.

Such success stories would convince private sector employers that they need not be afraid of such measures, which, ultimately, were also to the benefit of their businesses, the Prime Minister continued.

Over the last two years, the number of female students graduating from university had grown to the extent that it had surpassed the percentage of males, which meant changes in society and new realities that have be taken into account.

More women were entering the working world and, consequently, getting married later and having fewer children, he said.

He said the Cabinet would in the coming days be discussing a policy document on child-related issues. He did not give details, saying only that the document was one in a series of important ones that, in the coming weeks, would be up for consultation before passing on to the legislative process.

Mrs Cristina highlighted the "brain drain" society was experiencing when women dropped out of the labour market.

National Family Commission chairman Angela Abela said the time was ripe to destroy the idea of how an ideal worker should be, adding that the repercussions of the lack of balance between work and life were of serious detriment to the family and the state.

The ideal worker was still perceived as the person who committed himself wholeheartedly to his work without thinking of his private life. However, it has been acknowledged that the worker who has a more balanced life is more creative and productive.

Dr Abela said the need had been felt for a clear policy on how Maltese families could balance work and family life. The issue called for a commitment, as well as favourable policies and services at the workplace and by the state.

The labour market offered few family-friendly measures, particularly in the private sector and when compared to Europe, Dr Abela pointed out.

The change in labour market participation called for new attitudes and adequate structures. The way men and women perceived family and work needed to change and it was important that men felt comfortable participating in home responsibilities and availed themselves of family-friendly policies, she said.

"In a world that is pushing us to live to work, rather than work to live, it is not surprising that young couples are preferring to have fewer children, which will have a direct and serious impact on the balance between the older and younger generations," she said.