The Labour Party has outlined a series of social and economic measures at its first press conference of the election campaign, focusing on families, young people and pensioners.
Central to its proposals is a significant expansion of family-related leave.
Addressing the media, Prime Minister Robert Abela said maternity leave would increase to 26 weeks, while paternity leave would double to one month. A new six-month parental leave, fully paid by the government, would also be introduced, alongside additional leave in the first two years of a child’s life.
Young people entering the workforce or launching a startup would benefit from a tax exemption on the first €30,000 of income for three years. Housing proposals include a “My First Home” scheme, with government covering up to 25% of property value interest-free.
Other measures include a €5,000 birth bonus, free therapy for children with disabilities, and a guaranteed €50 weekly pension increase over five years.
The proposals are framed around the concept of improving quality of life, with a strong emphasis on giving families more time together and easing financial pressures at key stages of life. Government-financed parental leave is being presented as a way to support working parents without placing additional burdens on employers, while also addressing work-life balance concerns.
In the housing sector, the party is seeking to tackle affordability challenges by reducing upfront and long-term costs for first-time buyers, while also extending assistance to families looking to upgrade to a larger home. Additional incentives linked to property purchases, including reductions in stamp duty, are also being pledged.
The package also places weight on social inclusion, particularly through measures aimed at supporting children with disabilities and their families. Paid carers’ leave and full funding for therapy services are intended to reduce both financial and logistical strain on parents.
For pensioners, the proposed increases are being positioned as part of a broader commitment to strengthen income security in retirement, with the party arguing that sustained economic growth will enable these investments over the coming years.
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