Family-friendly measures

As a reaction to my article A Higher Level of Empathy (August 18) two letters were published: one from Emmanuel Cachia of the Union Haddiema Bank Centrali (UHBC) and the other from Antoine Vassallo from Victoria.

I would like to assure Mr Cachia that I had no intention of picking on UHBC. I did not mention the GWU and UHM simply because they were not parties signatory to the collective agreement which has recently been signed between the UHBC and the management of the Central Bank of Malta. My reference to this collective agreement was to highlight the less favourable family friendly working conditions prevailing at the Central Bank of Malta when compared to those existent in other statutory independent bodies and in government departments. I was pleased to learn that UHBC has been addressing this issue in a very serious manner and is leaving no stone unturned to provide the employees with the best possible flexible working conditions.

As regards the other letter Church Playschool, the information about the initiative taken by the Diocesan Caritas in Gozo to help working mothers was pleasant news to me It looks as if all attempts have been made to harness all the available resources to make this venture a success story. That is precisely the kind of initiative I had in mind. My only hope is that this venture in Gozo will act as a model for others to set up similar institutions. I am sure that they will be welcome.