Private companies should be given financial incentives to increase the participation of women who ought to be granted longer maternity leave, the National Council of Women has recommended.

The council called on the government to change its policy to address the issue of the extension of parental leave and take action to promote the equal access of men and women in the labour market.

A month ago, all EU member states, except Belgium and Portugal, opposed plans by the European Commission to legislate for a minimum 20-week maternity leave entitlement and the introduction of two weeks paternity leave. Had the change gone through, Malta would have increased its maternity leave by six weeks. But the island opposed the plans because of the heavy financial burden involved and the wrong timing, considering the economic climate in Europe.

Over the past weeks, several organisations – such as the Forum, a group of 11 unions, and the Malta Confederation of Women’s Organisations ­– urged the government to reconsider its position on the matter.

The NCW has made a number of recommendations to the government to address the issue of maternity leave.

It suggested that the government should subsidise employers’ social security payment for all or part of the maternity leave, that financial incentives be provided to the private sector and that the government commissioned a study on the cost of non-participation of women of child rearing age in different occupations.

The council also suggested strengthening social security measures for self-employed women and introducing legal provisions on parental leave.

Council president Grace Attard said the Budget for 2012 should ensure that a national policy be put in place for both the public and private sectors.