Employers agree to maternity leave extension, but want government to pay
The Malta Employers Association said today that while Maternity Leave should be extended to 18 weeks from the current 14 weeks, as proposed in the Budget, the government should bear the costs of 10 of those weeks, and workers who take such leave should be required to commit themselves to return to work and remain in their employment for a year.
The MEA said it is proposing that in the interest of helping working mothers achieve a better work life balance, the maternity leave should be extended to eighteen weeks as announced in the budget.
It is also proposing that besides the payment for the additional four weeks of maternity leave, the government would also undertake to pay weeks 12 and 13, in the first year, and weeks 10, 11, 12 and 13 in the second year when the total maternity leave will be of 18 weeks.
It said that any additional weeks of maternity leave should be voluntary and the employee may opt to return to work if she wishes, 'and if the employer accepts'. In such cases, the employer has to be notified before the beginning of the maternity leave.
"The Government should commit itself to retain the obligation of the employee to return to work with her employer after the period of maternity leave. It is recommended to extend this period to a year. If this is removed by imposition from the EU, then the burden of all maternity leave payments will no longer be the responsibility of employers and will be immediately passed on to government."
The association said employers should be presented with a plan to completely phase out the burden of paid maternity leave on companies over a number of years.
The right to accumulation of sick leave, vacation leave and injury leave during maternity leave should be removed, it insisted.
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said in the Budget speech that the government is proposing to extend maternity leave by two weeks next year and another two weeks in 2013. The issue will be presented for discussion at the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, the prime minister said the first extension will come into force on January 1, and what the MCESD will do will be to discuss its implementation.
The MEA did not say how much the governemnt should pay employees during maternity leave. In the budget speech, the finance minister spoke of a flat rate of €160 per week.
See the MEA's position paper in full by clicking on the pdf below.
Attached files
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j brincat
Nov 25th 2011, 09:22
Fidili dawn tal-MEA, daqs il-kelba ta; Gakki!
Jibku biss jafu.
(jb)
George Azzopardi
Nov 25th 2011, 08:15
After the budget speech , I thought that the Government was paying for all this!!
pat muscat
Nov 25th 2011, 08:02
Maternity leave is part of the welfare state, it should be borne by the State like in the rest of Europe. Imagine an SME employing women 5 women with two getting pregnant; this would result in bankruptcy! Therefore, it is imperative that the State pays for this welfare, just as the PL has suggested.
Victor Vella
Nov 25th 2011, 06:33
Hekk sew. Mela meta l-employers jaqilghu il-profitti mmorru jtuhom il-gvern. Anke meta Mintoff ta il-Bonuses u EFA kompla jzid il-bunuses kollha qallu li ha jitfghu n-nies il-barra u ha jalqghu. La hadd minnhom ma ghalaq u wisq inqas ma tefghu n-nies il-barra. Tismaghhom jitkellmu dawn jgibulek qalbek perzuta.
Victor Vella
Nov 25th 2011, 06:33
Hekk sew. Mela meta l-employers jaqilghu il-profitti mmorru jtuhom il-gvern. Anke meta Mintoff ta il-Bonuses u EFA kompla jzid il-bunuses kollha qallu li ha jitfghu n-nies il-barra u ha jalqghu. La hadd minnhom ma ghalaq u wisq inqas ma tefghu n-nies il-barra. Tismaghhom jitkellmu dawn jgibulek qalbek perzuta.
Mr Adrian Zahra
Nov 25th 2011, 04:14
I fail to comprehend how an increase in maternity leave will in any way help a mother to return to work. As things are proposed it seems more a way for the giverment to take on four weeks of pay especially if a mother retirns to work before. That said I believe that best way is to try and increase the flexible working hours concept and have it incorporated as law at least in those cases where an increaseb absence by working mothers can be supported by her employer and colleagues. Also I do not know for waht reason do we have stil to pay the mother while she is on MAternity leave. With 14weeks of maternity leave we couls easily go to 28 weeks and set it at half pay. Obviously my understanding is that there is a working father supporting the famiily.
Mr Cecil Cassar
Nov 24th 2011, 22:12
Pointless and useless legislation. The only entity that will be paying is the Maltese citizen - the tax payer. Why can''t those who wish to start a family actually fund their own activities? Why do they always demand free money from the state?
I have a family and have never claimed anything from the state. I made sure that I was financially stable before starting a family and that meant many sacrifices. Others should do the same rather than expecting others to hand over their hard earned cash.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 24th 2011, 20:58
@ V Cassar
Today, 17:59
Yes I know that the increase in maternity leave will promote motherhood. And that is yet another reason why we should increase maternity leave. At the moment our birth rate is around 1.4. The so called lowest low birth rate stands at 1.3. This means that in around 45 years our population may be halved. We need to increase our birth rate to about 2.2.
Youy are very misinformed. For your information menstrual sick leave does not exist.
It is very true, it is the employer who is creating employment in the first place, but the employer needs the employee for the success of his company. We NEED each other.
@ Mary Helen Strout
Mrs/Miss Mary Helen Strout,
I did not setup my own business simply because I was not born in a well-off family, maybe like yourself. It is a bit exaggerated to say that when you were pregnant you worked through all your nine months of pregnancy in a very laborious job and and after a week and half of giving birth you were back at work. No even a secretary in an office can manage that, let alone doing a laborious job as you said you did. By the way, can you reveal to us this laborious job of yours?
Mary Helen Strout
Nov 25th 2011, 09:02
Mr Vassallo on what planet do you live ? Most SME's around the world do not come from wealthy families !!
SME's have always been the backbone of any society. This idea that the gov owes us a leaving is only the idea of the last 50 years and all it has done is driving europe's economy into a brick wall. Artisans/ SME's do not come from rich families, they go about their lives giving service to others and everyday pray that it will be a goodday for their business but perhaps you have a cushy lifetime secure job with the gov.
Since you asked I'm a hairdresser were I have to stand for long hours and if I do not deliver I do not get paid and lose clients. Yes I did that and was not exaggerated were there is a will there is a way.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 24th 2011, 20:58
@ V Cassar
Today, 17:59
Yes I know that the increase in maternity leave will promote motherhood. And that is yet another reason why we should increase maternity leave. At the moment our birth rate is around 1.4. The so called lowest low birth rate stands at 1.3. This means that in around 45 years our population may be halved. We need to increase our bierth rate to about 2.2.
Youy are very misinformed. For your imformation menstrual sick leave doed mot exist.
It is very true, it is the employer who is creating employment in the first place, but the employer needs the employee for the success of his company. We NEED each other.
@ Mary Helen Strout
Mrs/Miss Mary Helen Strout,
I did not setup my own business simply because I was not born in a well-off family, maybe like yourself. It is a bit exagerated to say that when you were pregnant you worked through all your nine months of pregnancy in a very labourious job and and after a week and half of giving birth you were back at work. No even a secretary in an office can manage that, let alone doing a labourious job as you said you did. By the way, can you reveal to us this labourious job of yours?
A Camilleri
Nov 24th 2011, 19:56
How kind! Me too... I can be very generous with other people's money.
m farrugia
Nov 24th 2011, 18:34
and do you think that by extending maternity leave by 4 weeks the country will increase female participation in the labour market?
the real problem faced by mothers is not during the early years. there are enough child care centres to cater for babies and young children.
the real problem is when children start school at 3 years. how can mother works when a good number of schools finish at 130pm and have at least three weeks holiday in xmas, another three weeks holidays in easter, almost a week for midterm and three full months in summer. A parent's vacation leave entitlement is normally about 25 days a year. How can parents who cannot rely on grandparents to take of their children, take all this vacation leave to look after children during their holidays and when they are sick.
and whilst teachers spend their summer days at the beach, working parents spend around 400 euros per child to send their children elsewhere. if children can do activities in summer schools why cannot they do them at their own school.
it is these problems that the electorate expects governments to tackle - but no since then parties would lose a substantial amount of votes from teachers. by giving tax credits to working mothers we will not solve this big problem. 1 week holidays in easter, 2 weeks in xmas, 2 months in summer are more than enough.
Claudia Magrin
Nov 24th 2011, 19:38
1. Get your figures right. What you propose as holidays is what the majority of teachers have.
2. You are being robbed with those summer school fees.
3. You can always choose to become a teacher, but certainly you won't because you would not be able to afford the 400 Euro a month for private school fees with a teacher's salary.
C Scerri
Nov 24th 2011, 20:42
Stop the fantasy!
Christmas and Easter rescess is at the most 2 weeks each, midterm is 3 days and carnival is 3 days. Summer holidays is less then 3 months.
if you think that you should have these holidays, I would advise you to take a B.Ed course and apply for a teacher's job - they are always in demand!!
m farrugia
Nov 24th 2011, 18:23
i'm sure they will agree if the govt is paying
Mr Cecil Cassar
Nov 24th 2011, 22:14
The governemnt is funded by the Maltese citizen, so it is them who will pay. Why don't those who wish to start a family plan their finances first?
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 24th 2011, 17:20
It is unbelievable. In reality the employers do not want to extend the maternity leave from 14 to 18 years. They are coming up with these proposals because they know very well that the government will not accept their proposals.
For me, this measure seemed to be a very straight forward issue: Fourteen weeks being paid by the employer as it is now, and the other 4 weeks will be financed by government, so that it will not cost the employers one single euro. But no, now the employers want more, more and more.
Gieb l-ghawn u tiehux l’hemm, dejjem hekk kienu l-employers.
V Cassar
Nov 24th 2011, 17:59
Angelo vassallo you should know that the increase in maternity leave will promote motherhood but hinder woman-labour. the government can increase the maternity leave all he wants, all the employer has to do is employ males instead of females, less maternity leaves and less menstrual sick leaves.
Do not bite more than you can chew.
And this mentality of the capitalist being the evil ghoul should be erased from our tradition, it is the employer who is creating employment in the first place.
Mary Helen Strout
Nov 24th 2011, 18:13
Mr Vassallo why don't you setup your own business and employ people,I'm sure your reasoning will be very different. MEA should also add that the person employed must have been working with the company at least three years to enjoy the benefits. I 'm self employed when I was pregnant I worked all the nine months and after a week and half of giving birth I was back at work. I must add that my work is very labourious too
Wilfred Camilleri
Nov 24th 2011, 19:38
Why should employers pay anything at all? In Canada maternity/paternity leave is much longer and the mother receives maternity leave payments from the government run Employment Insurance program. All the employer is obliged by law to do is guarantee the mother's job and position or an equivalent position when she returnes to work.
Maternity : (exclusively for the mother)
Number of weeks : 18
Income replacement: 70%
Paternity : (exclusively for the father)
Number of weeks : 5
Income replacement: 70%
Parental : (may be shared between the parents)
Number of weeks : 7
Income replacement: 70%
and
Number of weeks : 25
Income replacement: 55%
for a grand total of 50 weeks + 5 weeks paternity
This is because the government in Canada recognizes the importance of child care by the mother and the father during the first year of a baby's life.
HENRY FENECH AZZOPARDI
Nov 24th 2011, 17:16
Will someone correct me if I am wrong. The Government has declared in the budget that as from 01 January 2011 the pregnancy leave will be extended with 2 weeks and another two weeks the following year. He also said that a flat rate of 160 euors per week will be paid in material as to what is the actual pay of the woman concerned.
The next move is the implemenatation of the scheme to be discussed and approved by the MCESD. This scheme gives the possibility that the woman might opt either for the four weeks with a standard pay of 160 euors per week, or return to her work and get the normal full pay.
Where does the 10 week mentioned by the employers come into the new scheme? I would imagine that the costings of the emplyers are based on the full pay of 14 weeks. Are they therefore aiming to get additional income with the introduction of the new 4 weeks maternity payable by the Government? Do they realise that this is tax payers money involved?
This scheme the government felt that it should be introduced to encourage women to return to the place of work and not to have additional income to the employers.
I urge the Government to stick to its policy because once the scheme is introduced it would be a burden to future government whoever it might be, and would not be easy to amend once it becomes a social issue.
N. Bill Camilleri
Nov 24th 2011, 17:10
I don't think anyone should have to pay for this amount of time off. People should be allowed to take time off work for many different personal reasons, including maternity and paternity, but it shouldn't be paid time off. There is no logical reason why this should be paid time off.
ALFRED BRIFFA
Nov 24th 2011, 16:58
M.E.A. sucks!
Giovann Demartino
Nov 24th 2011, 16:57
I do not blame these employers who do not want to pay for maternity leave. But why should WE, taxpayers pay for it. If these women want to work, let them work. But if they expect us, taxpayers, to sponsor their children, I shall be the first one to say NO! And I am not an employer.
@ Paul Micallef. qed tghodd il-flieles kmieni wisq! Bejnietna: x'dizastru ghamilt mil-lingwa Maltija!
Alistair Busuttil
Nov 24th 2011, 18:00
those children will be paying for your pension and your medicine one day in the future
KM. Psaila
Nov 24th 2011, 19:33
In that case we should also stop wasting money in pensions and social benefits as me as a tax payer don`t feel it`s right that i pay for what the beneficiaries of these benefits are receiving.........Does that sound right Mr.Demartino??? I guess no, So please let people like me who are willing to start a family have some benefits, since i have always paid my taxes and am also entitled to such benefits.
Mr Stephen Borg
Nov 25th 2011, 07:57
@Giovann Demartino
Your comment shows your true colours. If you haven't yet realized you and I live in a civil society which is based on a social fund which helps those in need. That is why we have free health care and social benefits. Your comment is utterly senseless please stop offending our intelligence.
Giovann Demartino
Nov 25th 2011, 08:19
NO, Mr Psaila. You got nit all wrong. Absolutely and completely wrong. We all pay taxes and we all have something in return. We can ALL have free education, we can ALL have free medical services - hospital, clinic, medicines.....we have all sorts of benefits. You name it we have. Why? Because we all pay our taxes throughout our working life. Even my old age pension is taxed. I have no problem helping those who really need help. We all have problems on which we have no control. That is why there are all sorts of social benefits which are paid from our taxes. And that as it should be. But mm,aternity leave and single (!) motherhood is another matter. If a woman wants to get pregnant, good luck to her. But thern she should not expect others to sponsor/look after her children. If she wants to work, let her work. But she cannot have the cake and eat. Either work or motherhood. She may choose to have both. Again good luck. But I do not want to pay for her choice. It is simply unfair. If she had an accident....give her all the help she needs...and that is what we do. But pregnancy is not an accident. She knows what she is doing and she knows what to expect. Those who want to build a f\amily l;et them do it. But I do not want to subsidize their way of living. Let THEM earn their money and let THEM spend it any way they like. But paying my hard earned money to help them build a family, that is too much.
The same with so called single mothers. She lives exactly like a formally married girl. She lives with her partner, she has her apartment with all modern amenities, she gets a share of her partner's income, most probably she has a sort of job and at the end of the month she receives her check from the social service. Paid by nthe poor taxpayer. It is most unfair.
Giovann Demartino
Nov 25th 2011, 17:09
@ Stephen Borg. Whose intelligence?
Paul Micallef
Nov 24th 2011, 16:32
Nixtieq ta vera inkun naf ghalfejn dawn in-nies ivvotaw ghal l-unjoni Europeja, ghax hlief GIEB,GIEB,GIEB ma jaghamlux. Dawn in-nies jimxu ezat bhal orrganizzazjoni li lunka skop ta mohhom li jaghamlu il flus u ikkisru il-haddiem, imma tibzax haddiem, ghax daqt ikun hemm GVERN TAL PL, u dawn jibzaw mill PL.
VIVA IL-HADDIEM:
Mr Lawrence Calleja
Nov 24th 2011, 16:43
@Paul Micallef: Vera ghandna ghalfejn nibzaw mill-PL jekk ikun fil-gvern, habib.
carmel muscat
Nov 24th 2011, 16:46
jien inhaddem in nies mijjaj u flusi jien investejtom xi trid mela li nalaq u nitfa lilkullhadt lbarra ? nies bhallek haqkom iktar ikolkom rispest al min ihaddem jien najd alija ikun emm il PN u ikun emm il PL ninvesti kont u ninvesti nibqa sakem ma idejquniex imm a jekk idejquni nalaq u nitfa lil kullhadt il barra u noqod id dar bla inkwiet ta xejn
John Said
Nov 24th 2011, 17:04
Can you explain to us what is the meaning of your comment? Are you infavour of increasing the maternity leave? Or are you just against the EU? Are you infavour of more women joining the work force or do you still beleive that a woman's place is in the kitchen? Do you prefer that employers avoid to employ women cause they can not afford an 18 months pay with out receving anything back?
Or did you just want to confirm to us what a said person you are and just took the occasion to say something against the present government?...... get a life........ we know where we are standing now............but we have no idea of where we would be standing with a PL government, and for us employers, its better the devil you know then the one who does not want to tell us what kind of plans he has got in mind.......if he has any at all!!!!!!
Till now, although there is always room for improvement, we are not doing bad, and we are still signing out pay cheques to our employees, and that is what matters most!
Patrick Bellia
Nov 24th 2011, 17:08
sur micallef,
jekk minix sejjer zball Dr sant kien qal mhux issa ghall EU imma fis sena 2011. jigifieri kieku llum qedghin fl EU xorta illum hemm leader fil PL li accetta l EU. Mela kieku minnek ma nivvota xejn ghax xorta ha jkun hemm konnessjoni ma din l organizazzjoni ta gib, gib, gib.
Shaun Camilleri
Nov 24th 2011, 17:08
int bis serjeta Paul? Ara vera taf tirraguna!
Mr F J Brincat
Nov 24th 2011, 17:08
Iva, viva l-haddiem. Biss il-haddiem, kieku ma jkunx ghall minn jinvesti w jhaddem, ma jahdimx u ma jaqlax paga. Ma jaqbel lill ebda partit li jdejjaq lil minn ihaddem ghax minn hemm li ddur l-ekonomija ta'Malta. dazgur li skop biex jaghmlu l-flus. X'tahseb int? li qeghdin hemm biex ihaddmu biss?
A Cuschieri
Nov 24th 2011, 17:26
Ghadkom l-istess igifieri Paul Micallef.
Politika li tbezzaw lin-nies ... L-isem u l-arma biss biddiltu Paul, il-mentalita l-istess ghadha.
E Gatt
Nov 24th 2011, 17:42
Sometimes we get a sneak preview of the true vindictive and spiteful nature of the Maltese Socialists.
H. Psaila
Nov 24th 2011, 17:49
Hmar taqtaghlu dembu hmar jibqa u hekk ghadu il-partit Laburista l'istess.
Joseph Scicluna
Nov 24th 2011, 18:22
Pawlu, qieghed tghix bit-tama w sa tmut bil-piena!
Joseph Scicluna
Nov 24th 2011, 18:36
VIVA L-HADDIEM fil-korpi tax-xoghol u time off in lieu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alison Bezzina
Nov 24th 2011, 16:20
How can a woman seriously develop her career on the same level as a man if an employer has to fork out so much money if she gets pregnant ? http://www.alisonbezzina.com/on-the-job/
Joanne Micallef
Nov 24th 2011, 17:15
AMEN
tony abela
Nov 24th 2011, 16:19
If we as taxpayers will be paying (and not any politician) nobody expects the Employers to oppose.