Updated 2.45pm with PL reaction
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil this morning promised to raise children's allowance, extend maternity leave and introduce four weeks of paternity leave.
He also promised free childcare for all, and said school transport would also be provided free-of-charge for all students in state, private and church schools.
He made the promises at a PN press conference ahead of the June 3 general election.
Rise in children's allowance
Dr Busuttil said that there would also be an increase in children's allowance from €450 per year to €550 per year for every child. In cases of low-earners, the increase would be of €200. Those on minimum wage would therefore earn €650 per year.
Extension of maternity, paternity leave
The PN is also proposing an increase in maternity and paternity leave, following consultation with social partners within the MCESD.
Maternity leave would increase from 18 to 22 weeks – the four extra weeks would be subsidised by the government, while paternity leave would also increase by four weeks. If the social partners accept this proposal, we are ready to move on with it, Dr Busuttil said.
The fourth proposal, which would also require discussion with employers, would meanwhile see parents able to use their sick leave also when their children are ill. As things stand today, in such situations, employees sometimes report sick when their children are sick, and this qualifies as abuse.
This measure should decrease such abuse, because if people knew that they could use their sick leave when their children were ill, they would be more cautious with their sick leave allowance, Dr Busuttil said.
Free transport for all schoolchildren
The fifth proposal is that of free school transport for all – including church and independent schoolchildren. To date, transport is only provided free to those attending state schools. This is a good thing, but why isn't it also offered to children who go to church and independent schools, Dr Busuttil asked.
Transport should be subsidised by the government for all children. This measure would also help alleviate the traffic problem, he added.
Dr Busuttil was addressing the media at the PN headquarters, where he reiterated that this election was not simply a competition of proposals. It was an election where a decision needed to be taken on principles.
This however, did not mean that the PN would not be coming up with proposals, he said.
Childcare proposal 'irresponsible' - PL
In a reaction, the Labour Party said the PN proposal for childcare was regressive.
During a news conference, minister Helena Dalli and Evarist Bartolo described the PN proposal to provide free childcare to all, even to those that did not work, as irresponsible.
Mr Bartolo said the service, a unique one in Europe, was being provided through 13 government centres. The measure was intended to encourage women to work and reduce benefits.
Thanks to a number of measures taken by the government, Malta now has the highest number of women working in Europe aged between 25 and 29.