‘Mixed messages’ on maternity leave

The Labour Party has criticised the government’s stance on the extension of maternity leave, accusing it of sending out mixed messages.

The spokesman for the family, children and the disabled, Justyne Caruana argued that if the government was really in favour of the extension, it would have expressed this position in previous discussions and voted in favour of the legislation in question.

The government said last week it was in favour of extending maternity leave so long as there was a level playing field across the EU. It argued that Malta had already lengthened the period from 13 to 14 weeks on full pay. The length differs in member states.

“Contrary to what it has said, the government has repeatedly declared itself to be against the extension,” Dr Caruana said.

Malta, together with nine other EU countries, voted against extending maternity leave in the last Employment and Social Affairs Council meeting.

Dr Caruana said it was shameful that the government was playing with words on such a sensitive matter. If the government was really in favour of the extension, then the Labour party was inviting it to make sure it would become a reality, she said.