[WATCH] Muscat pledges expansion of after-school services for families

A future government plans to extend the PN administration's Klabb 3-16 initiative and introduce more flexible working practices in the public sector.

Addressing the press after visiting Mickey's Child Care Centre in Bulebel, Labour leader Joseph Muscat announced plans to incentivise working mothers of children aged 3 to 16 to join the workforce.

Last week, the Labour Party also announced its plans to provide free childcare services to fulltime working parents with children under 3 years of age.

"We also intend to help families with children aged between 3 and 16 and provide childcare services after school hours," Muscat said.

He said that a Labour government would be committed to invest and expand in the Klabb 3-16, an initiative introduced by the PN administration that provides after school care services.

"Our plan is to discuss with the Department of Education how this service can be improved and expanded. There has been a strong and positive feedback to the existent services and we intend to build on that," he said.

Muscat added that a Labour government would also priorities family friendly measures such as flexi time and teleworking in the public sectors. According to Muscat, parents working in government departments have complained that a positive start to such measures has now become more stringent.

"These incentives form part our roadmap to generate more economic growth and our commitment not to increase the pensionable age," he said.

While visiting Mickey's child care centre, Muscat reiterated his commitment to prioritise the private sector in his plans for free childcare.

But in comments to MaltaToday, owners Simon and Lucienne Zammit expressed concern over how the plan could affect their business.

Lucienne Zammit, who set up shop 18 years ago in Hamrun with just one child, said their company made relatively low turnover.

"We have 100 children registered in Bulebel, but we take care of a daily average of 60 children," she said.

The hourly rate is of €1.50 and few are the children who stay for a full day. "Our policy is to provide a high quality services, and this wouldn't be possible if we increase the number of children," the Zammits said, adding that the rate went down as the hours increased.

They also noted that several parents who send their children to government childcare centres would then send their children to private schools.

"Our concern is that parents who can afford to pay will abuse of the system," they said.