Forum Unions Maltin said today that it welcomed the government's proposal to enable parents to use their sick leave whenever they needed it to take care of their sick children.

It said there was clear consensus among the members of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development on the need to encourage more women and carers of children to participate in the labour market. It was therefore high time that such parents were not just encouraged but assisted to participate in the labour market. The government’s proposal was thus a step in the right direction.

The trade unions group said it could not  remotely understand the statement issued yesterday by the Malta Employers' Association that the government’s proposal was  “crazy”.

It asked whether the MEA expected parents to take their children to school or child care centres when they were sick.

The excuse of abuse of sick leave was also nonsensical, since sick leave certificates could still be issued for the children and then presented by the parents, Forum said.

It suggested that a capping system could be introduced whereby a specific number of days could be utilized in respect of sick children.