Updated: Maternity leave extended
(Adds PL's reaction)
The legal notice extending maternity leave by four weeks over a two year period was published today, bringing these regulations into effect as from Sunday.
The initiative, promised in the last budget, was discussed with the social partners within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.
The regulations specify that uninterrupted maternity leave should be increased to 16 weeks as from next January 1 and to 18 weeks as from January 1, 2013.
Employees on maternity leave on Sunday would have their leave automatically increased to 16 weeks. Those on maternity leave on January 1 next year would also have their leave automatically extended to 18 weeks.
Amendments to be moved to the Social Security Act will specify that the payment for these additional weeks will be at a fixed rate of €160 a week, to be paid by the government.
The same legal notice also introduces the concept that workers cannot be forced to work overtime during pregnancy and for 12 months after the birth or adoption of a child.
This right superceded any other law, regulation, order, collective agreement or contract.
The development was welcomed by the Labour Party which said it was a U-turn for the government as it had opposed the extension in the European Union.
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Michael Magri
Dec 31st 2011, 11:55
Thank you very much Prof. EDWARD SCICLUNA for your STRONG Launching of this Social Service in the EU Parlament..
Thank you very much Dr. JOSEPH MUSCAT for your Sincere INSISTANCE in our Parlament, for the introduction and IMPLIMENTATION of this Social Service for the benefit of our Maltese and Gozitan mothers in the helping of the up-bringing of their beloved children..
AND finaly.... Thanks Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, for finaly deciding to AGREE with the Labour Party`s proposals, and making a U-TURN on this subject matter...!!!!
Or was this realy yet another Early Election `GIMMICK` for you to Cling to, prior our next general elections...!!!???!!!???
I.. THINK.. SO.. !!
THANKS and WELL DONE Dr. Muscat and Prof. Scicluna...
Victor Vella
Dec 31st 2011, 10:25
Give all the thank you to the Labour MPs not to that lickers PN MP`s.
Julian Borg
Dec 30th 2011, 19:15
Let us make this very clear. The proposal was made by the EU, resisted by the PN and subsequently proposed in the last Budget and enacted today - it had NOTHING to do with the PL. So all you elves go back under your rock - the PL's only proposals to date are the "pjan ta John Dalli tas-Sargas" and the Living Wage.
The PL stands for nothing of any note......
B Grech
Dec 30th 2011, 19:36
A quick google search inputting timesofmalta with PL and maternity leave will show you that you are dead wrong. The government was dead set against increasing maternity leave up till the last budget.
Cornelius Murphy
Dec 30th 2011, 20:54
@ B Grech
Maybe you need to look up the word 'resisted' as used by Mr Borg.
Mario Grima
Dec 30th 2011, 21:29
Wow, calm down Mr. Borg, why all this anger and agitation. Everyone agrees with you that if we did'nt have the PN to solve both the Maltese soap -opera problems and even the world economic crisis we would have already dead and buried. 'Par idejn sodi' bhal ta Gonzi min ghandu??????
Julian Borg
Dec 31st 2011, 09:31
@Mario Grima
I hate to think where we would be with the PL running this country. We would have given the green light to a €1billion white elephant manufactured by Sargas. Employers would have to grapple with the Living Wage eroding any competitivity we have assuming anyone understands what Living Wage is. Then we have the handling of the Euro crisis, the world economic downturn and the North Africa crisis. In spite of all this jobs were created, tourism hit new record highs and inflation was curbed.
It was very much par idejn sodi and 2011 will be remembered for the smart way this government managed our country through a massive storm - which storm is not yet over. But you couldn't tell if all you watch is Super One!
P. Vincenti
Dec 30th 2011, 18:22
This is good news. Women need more of this support.
I hope that it will help the Fertility rate of Malta which is below replacement values.
steve Micallef
Dec 31st 2011, 11:48
I agree but please do not claim equal rights this is in no way equal and that's not even bring the private sector in to it.
Peppi Borg
Dec 30th 2011, 17:34
At least if not listening to Dr.Franco Debono, GonziPN is following Dr.Muscat...... now in the extention of maternity leave.... They realised they were wrong in opposing the idea in the EU.
j brincat
Dec 30th 2011, 17:24
Another U turn by GonziPN!
The election must really be round the corner.
But at least working women stand to benefit, thanks to Dr Muscat!
(jb)
James McIntosh
Dec 30th 2011, 18:13
Actually I do believe that the present Administration is PN, but maybe I made a mistake.
That would then make it thanks to Dr Gonzi, PN, and PL had no say in it as it was voted through by PN assent.
The Bi-Party mentality is truly childish in this country.
If the right thing is done in Government, then it is to be applauded by all, for it is an acomplishment of GOOD practice. No mater which side thought of it first or last.
Martin Saliba
Dec 30th 2011, 16:59
The photo shows a pregnant woman drawing an arrow pointing towards her maternity leave and the drop in employment of women of child bearing age.
John Borg
Dec 30th 2011, 16:27
The PL is right. This is another U turn. The PL is ALWAYS right. Got it everyone? Had the Pl been in government we would have adopted the Spanish and Cyprus models as Joseph Muscat had urged the PM to do, and we'd be in deep trouble.
Carmel Cilia
Dec 30th 2011, 17:38
Voldieri kif qieghed tghid inti il-P.L fl-oppozizzjoni qieghed igieghel lilgvern jghamel dak li jrid hu; u Gonzi bhal nghaga ta Bendu jdur lura min kelmtu u jaccetta li jaghmel affarijiet li ma jridx. Sa fejn naf jien fil MCESd l-employers ma qablux u il gvern ghax jaqbillu politikament u mhux ghax taharqu qalbu ghal haddiema irrombla bhas soltu minn fuqhom. Anqas tafu xse taqbdu tghidu, hlief shab iswed il-P.N mhux jara bhalissa miskin. Il-Gimgha l-ohra Saliba qal li mhux sew li MP izomm ostagg lil Prim, illum bidel iddiska u qal li Il-Prim ghandu jaccetta u ma jmurx ghal elezzjoni. Imdendel wahda sew mal poter il-boy.
>
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,
Dec 30th 2011, 16:09
This will make it ever more difficult for child-bearing age women to find a convenient job: no one in his / her right senses [ unless it is money-squandering Government Sources particularly around approaching Election times ]will ever employ such applicants with all the risks it involves : we witnessed this disaster at the Law Courts for example where trained women left with maternity leave and upon returning found that so much had changed that they had to commence being trained again!!
Of course private employers can always enter into contractual agreements. However,did ever anyone consider a Constitutional Case for Positive Discrimination ? We truly want this country to come to a complete halt, don`t we ? Out with these two shameless-faced political parties.....WE THE PEOPLE are much focused on the ever-increasing causes that are directing this country to its lowest levels.
John Borg
Dec 30th 2011, 16:34
What are you saying Dr Bezzina. the Labour Party wanted the extension of maternity leave, so it can't be as you are saying. Labour is always right.
Kevin Barun
Dec 30th 2011, 16:07
Anybody writes that the PL do not propose anything???..... This initiative was purely proposed by the PL.
Well done for the Government on implementing this measure
Brian Smith
Dec 30th 2011, 14:35
Another nail in the coffin for the small businessman
John Micallef
Dec 30th 2011, 16:23
Not just the small business, I can tell you.
What, with reduced hours, special leave for this and that...sometimes I wonder who's really working for whom!
Gianninu Saliba
Dec 30th 2011, 14:08
Hello Joseph! So the maternity leave was extended. What did you insinuate in your reply to the budget? Honestly, why do you have to open your mouth and say something? Don't you realize that you always end up sounding like an idiot? God forbid the day that the PN looses a General Election. Yes, the Government has made some mistakes, but then we must pray: "... and lead us not into temptation (of voting Labour), but deliver us from all evil (Socialists in government)".
Alistair Farrugia
Dec 30th 2011, 15:56
Seriously? You're praying to be delivered from all socialists and you fail to acknowledge that this is 100% a socialist-policy? True - Muscat might have to take back some of what he said but equating socialism with evil whilst at the same time proclaiming this government is contradictory at best. (Please note, this government is nearly just as socialist as PL of old, with all its socialist measures to date, vide extension of children allowance, €300 to 80+ age group, this measure, and many more). If you're bound to criticise, at least make some sense rather than writing such nonesense.
R. Borg
Dec 30th 2011, 16:03
Thanks to Joseph ( the primeminister to be ). Gonzi PN is just a puppet on a string. Next soon is the matter regarding minister of justice, he will do as Debone ordered him to do because he wants to stay in power as long as possible, I am sure you agree because you may already know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
C Camilleri
Dec 30th 2011, 17:32
Ganninu.... Dont u think before u speak?
Maternity leave is a socialist policy!
Mauro Camilleri
Dec 30th 2011, 19:18
Int bis-serjeta'!!!!
Naħseb aħjar nitolbu għalik sieħbi!