Figures recently published by Eurostat showed that in Malta the rate of employment is low, especially with regard to women at work. According to the figures, the rate of employment for women is 37 per cent and is the lowest among EU member states.

Women do not participate in the labour market due to many factors. Among these is the lack of family-friendly measures, including affordable childcare centres. There is continuous opposition from the private sector to the introduction of more family-friendly measures. It’s a pity that the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry continues to oppose the European directive proposal to increase maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks, when the private sector is the largest employer in Malta.

The lack of decent wages associated with low education and lack of family-friendly measures is leading to a segment of women working illegally, to the detriment of their social security and future pension.

Another category of women are living in socially disadvantageous situations and are finding it difficult to enter the labour market. In the majority of these cases, women may have a low level of education, or physical or mental disability, drug addiction or associated problems.

Precariousness is also severely affecting women at work. Żminijietna criticises the notion of “workfare policies”, promoted by the government together with the Employment and Training Corporation, that is resulting in workers earning less than the minimum wage.