Tax breaks are good but mothers need childcare

Tax breaks for mothers announced in the budget need to be backed up by better childcare services if women are to be encouraged back to work, according to two equal rights organisations.

"Fiscal incentives are good but if we are not going to concretely tackle the issue of where mothers are going to leave their children they will not be able to go to work with their mind at rest," said Anna Borg, who chairs the Malta Confederation for Women's Organisations.

Sina Bugeja, executive director of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality, added that childcare should be a priority for both the government and private employers if women are to be attracted back to work.

Monday's budget offers a one-year tax break for women who have had a child since 2007 and who have returned to work. Another incentive is a year's tax break for every child under 16 for those who return after five years.

Ms Bugeja welcomed the measures adding that they targeted different age groups: younger mothers and those who have older children and who may be set in their ways and underestimate their potential.

While questioning whether one year was enough, she said the latter measure was also positive in relation to the birth rate.

"Malta has one of the lowest fertility rates in Europe and this measure touches on the fertility aspect... Even though it is retroactive, it puts fertility rates on the agenda," she said.

Ms Bugeja added that the tax incentives needed to be backed up by adequate childcare facilities. This would attract more women to work and help Malta reach the Lisbon targets - to almost double female employment to 60 per cent by 2010.

In a recent report, the European Commission listed the lack of childcare services as one of the main reasons why Malta has the lowest rate of women working in the EU - 38.5 per cent.

"We need to educate people that childcare facilities are not a way of dumping children... this is an unacceptable connotation," she said.

The government plans to open two new childcare centres in Pembroke and Siġġiewi next year and others in the following years.

Ms Borg said the government was making an effort to set up childcare facilities but certain focal issues were not being addressed. Childcare services, she stressed, need to be compatible with women's working hours by providing services during summer months and catering for the care of children of all ages. Another need was for facilities to look after children over three; most government day care centres take children only until that age.

It was also vital to offer help to mothers whose working hours overlap with school opening and closing hours. This need not involve burdening teachers as drama or sports activities on school premises are a possible solution, she said.

Speaking about the tax breaks for mothers who had a child since 2007 she said this would ensure that there was a shorter career break and help women remain in touch with the working world.