NCW delegation meets UHM officials

One of the series of meetings NCW is having with a number of social partners was held on Wednesday at UHM headquarters in Floriana.

The NCW delegation, including incoming president Helga Ellul, vice-president Grace Attard and Doris Bingley, general secretary, met UHM president Gejtu Tanti and general secretary Gejtu Vella to share ideas on issues concerning the participation of women in the workforce and the need for measures to facilitate women's re-conciliation with family and work duties.

Mrs Ellul pointed out that Maltese women's participation in the labour market is well below the targets of the Lisbon Agenda. There is a need for a culture change and education at national level, together with positive action to speed up gender equality representation in decision-making positions in all sectors.

Mr Vella said the UHM invests heavily in training of both men and women; however, on getting married, women are finding it difficult as a result of family obligations.

Other issues discussed were the introduction of a legal and regulatory framework for temping agencies, exploitation of women working less than 20 hours a week, ensuring that at grass-roots level women's rights are respected and the need for parental skills to focus on gender equality practices in the upbringing of both boys and girls.