Greens accuse Chamber of insensitivity on sick leave proposal

Green party Alternattiva Demokratika has accused the Chamber of Commerce of a lack of sensitivity in its opposition to a proposal made by the government so that working parents of small children may utilise their sick-leave for the purpose of looking after their sick children.

"We believe family-friendly measures, in various forms, are essential to ensure both a work-life balance as well as a better and longer commitment of workers to their work," social policy spokesperson Robert Callus said.

Callus said the measure would encourage more parents of small children, especially mothers, to remain in full-time employment.

"There are also workers, such as teachers, who are not entitled to vacation leave. AD agrees with social policy minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca that the Chamber should look at the wider picture and not only at employers' interests. AD urges the government and the social partners to discuss the matter and to find the most effective solution, particularly in the case of small companies, which may need the support of Government in such matters."

Arnold Cassola, AD chairperson, said that if the social partners were truly committed to gender equality and a just labour market, "all efforts should be made to ensure that workers, especially working parents of small children, are able to find an effective balance between work and family responsibilities. This is not only beneficial to workers, but also to employers and to the economy of the country. Otherwise we would only be paying lip service to gender equality."