UHM welcomes extension of family-friendly measures

The Union Haddiema Maghqudin yesterday welcomed Government's commitment to extend family-friendly measures in the civil service to the whole public sector.

The Times last week revealed that in a circular sent to all permanent secretaries, the principal permanent secretary, Godwin Grima, said all family-friendly measures in the civil service were applicable to the public sector with immediate effect unless there were very good reasons to justify a temporary delay.

Permanent secretaries were requested to bring this policy decision to the attention of all heads of public entities.

Dr Grima referred to the Budget Speech for 2007 in which the prime minister announced that Government had decided to extend family-friendly measures currently available to public officers to the entire public sector.

One of the most important family-friendly measures that has been adopted in the civil service, but which has been resisted in some public sector entities, is that employees can opt to work reduced hours and can choose between working 20, 25 or 30 hours a week to look after children under the age of 12.

In some entities reduced hours can only be availed of by employees whose children are under four or six years old.

Dr Grima also informed permanent secretaries that where serious difficulties existed for the implementation of this measure, the Management and Personnel Office at the Office of the Prime Minister would discuss the matter with the entity concerned, taking into account the period when the respective collective agreement would be coming up for review.

"All collective agreements, currently being negotiated, however, must include a provision in which all current measures are also made applicable to public sector entities," Dr Grima concluded.

UHM secretary general Gejtu Vella said: "This is an important step in the right direction. The UHM is pleased that the government has now accepted our proposal. It reinforces the importance of workers' rights and family-friendly policies in a flexible labour market, which in return can successfully compete in the global economy."

Mr Vella said those resisting these measures were either short-sighted or did not want to bother to organise themselves for them.

"Statistics show that where such family-friendly measures were introduced in Europe, there was an increase in productivity and efficiency while staff morale and motivation improved," Mr Vella said.

"Even management-staff relations improved. Data from the European foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions speak clearly about this.

"All economic players and private sector entrepreneurs should take the initiative to introduce family-friendly policies. No public entity should try to hide behind the excuse of autonomy or independence from the government.

"By trying to harmonise the family-friendly measures, the government is in no way interfering with their independence or autonomy.

"After all, these agencies should keep in mind that their board of directors is appointed by the government and it is public funds they are dealing with."