The Labour Party said today that the government's opposition to an extension of maternity leave amounted to a vote against the family.

Justyne Caruana, spokesman on family affairs, in a statement following a decision by the EU Council of Ministers yesterday, said that the Malta government's opposition to the proposed extension to maternity leave was a position against the family and against a stronger economy and sustainable pensions.

Malta yesterday joined a majority of EU member states in rejecting a European Parliament proposal to extend maternity leave.

Dr Caruana said the extension of maternity leave would have encouraged more women to go to work. As a result, tax revenue would rise and the pensions bill would be more sustainable.

She invited the government to publish studies on which it based its decision.

GOVERNMENT REACTION

The Ministry for Education, Employment and the Family said the government was not against an extension of maternity leave, but it had always insisted that there has to be agreement and a level playing field across the EU. Such a measure also needed to be introduced gradually after proper study.

It also pointed out that the government took various measures to help women and mothers return to work, including tax credits and the opening of childcare centres.

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