Opposition spokesman for the family and equality Justyne Caruana has accused the government of being the greatest enemy of the family in Malta because of the harsh economic burden it was imposing on it in times of great challenges.

She said in Parliament that discretion was being used in putting family-friendly measures into practice, resulting in discrimination between males and females in employment.

It was very difficult for mothers to enter and stay in the world of work. Malta was at the bottom of the list where child care provision was concerned.

Dr Caruana said a work-life balance government policy was totally absent, although there were sporadic schemes. There was the need for more affordable child care facilities. The government did not extend maternity leave, and 76 per cent of private companies did not have any family-friendly policies.

She referred to the allowance for children in care and the foster care measures as being positive. The country, however, needed to legislate on the rights of children and putting in place the necessary structures. Malta was at the bottom of the list in the child wellbeing index.

People with individual needs were suffering discrimination in job opportunities. She called for an end to discrimination between persons with special needs from birth and others who suffered disability later in life. Employees in adult training centres were working in degrading conditions.

Dr Caruana said that statistics showed that the standard of living in Gozo was falling. Unemployment was on the increase and more people were living in poverty or in social exclusion. Even the Bishop of Gozo felt the need to show his concern on the worsening situation, but the government was ignoring these problems.

She referred to the Auditor General's report which focussed on serious shortcomings and irregular expenditure at the Gozo General Hospital and other services.

Concluding, Dr Caruana said that the home help service was a perfect example that clientelism in Gozo reigned supreme.