More than 3,000 people opted for family-friendly arrangements last year, with 581 taking 14 weeks of maternity leave compared to just 93 in 2006.

The number of workers in the public sector who have availed themselves of family-friendly measures has more than doubled in the period between 2006 and 2010.

Last year, 470 employees took a year of unpaid parental leave and 414 opted for teleworking, almost double the number in 2009.

A total of 989 employees went for reduced hours and 272 took a career break of up to five years unpaid leave.

Family-friendly measures and policies were thrust to the ­forefront of national awareness ­during the divorce debate, when Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had, on several occasions, ­highlighted the government’s commitment to such measures.

The data is found on the first issue of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development publication, MCESD News.

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