NCPE holds work-life conference, presents research study

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) organised a Conference to discuss findings of its research study titled: 'Perceptions and Attitudes of Women and Men in Malta towards Work-Life Balance: With a Specific Focus on Family Size

By: independent.com.mt

Jan 09 2025
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"The objectives of the conference were to discuss how women and men can achieve a better balance between work and family life, particularly in care and family responsibilities, that supports parents in having more children, thereby improving fertility rate," the NCPE said in a statement.

Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg, highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to support families through initiatives such as free childcare, breakfast club and the Klabb 3-16, to reconcile work and family responsibilities. "Buttigieg said that the government enhanced work-life balance in the public service by introducing modern work practices and, as from this year, three paid days of carers' leave. Buttigieg also emphasised financial support as a key factor in influencing family planning, referring to measures such as the additional payments to families with low or medium income, and increased bonus rates to support families who have or adopt a child," the statement read.

In her speech, Graziella Attard Previ, the PN's Shadow Minister for Equality, Civil Liberties and Children's Rights, stated that work-life balance measures are an investment in modern Maltese families and an important tool to improve the quality of life while addressing the low birth rate. "She recalled the motion put forward by the Nationalist Party for LN 201/2022 in October 2022, which advocated for strengthening and inclusivity in paternity leave, parental leave, and carer's leave measures. She reiterated the Nationalist Party's commitment to improving these and other measures," the statement continued.

NCPE Commissioner Renee Laiviera highlighted the alarming decline in Malta's fertility rate. "Despite existing measures to help parents balance work and family life, inequalities persist, with women shouldering a disproportionate share of household and childcare responsibilities, affecting their career progression, salaries, and decisions about family size."

Laiviera emphasised the need to continue strengthening the economic independence of families, while also encouraging more men to share family responsibilities. Laiviera underscored the importance of enhancing the equal uptake of family-friendly measures between women and men to facilitate reconciliation between work and family life, and highlighted how equality at the workplace enhances the participation of women in the labour market, resulting in economic growth, as well as increased productivity and competitiveness.

Prof Anna Borg from the Centre for Labour Studies at the University of Malta shared the findings from a research project commissioned by the NCPE on the pressing challenges of low fertility rates and work-family conflict in Malta.

"The study, conducted with Prof Liberato Camilleri, highlights how sustained work-family conflict continues to impact the perceptions and attitudes towards having children. Findings reveal that, despite high employment rates for both genders, significant disparities persist in how work-family conflicts affect women and men, with mothers disproportionately bearing the brunt and impacting on their fertility intentions. The findings provide a critical foundation for policymakers, employers, and stakeholders to design holistic, family-friendly policies that balance professional and personal lives, benefiting families and the wider Maltese society."

Prof Godfrey Baldacchino from the Sociology Department at the University of Malta analysed the economic implications of these issues. He explained that the term 'economy' encompasses the decisions and choices of many people: workers, investors, shareholders, agents, brokers, buyers, sellers. He identified four main factors contributing to Malta's low fertility rate: the desired quality of life, the level of consumption considered satisfactory, the dominance of work as a cultural attribute, and the pursuit and maintenance of a career, the statement read.

A panel of stakeholders, moderated by PBS journalist Glen Falzon, discussed the reconciliation of family responsibilities and work within the context of the fertility rate analysing the current situation, the challenges and the way forward from the economic and sociological perspectives, the statement continued.

"Workshops offered participants an opportunity to engage in more detailed discussions on how to further improve work-life balance for families. As in previous years, the NCPE will study the issues raised during the Conference and take them on board wherever possible."