Prime Minister Robert Abela defended newly proposed measures to expand maternity and paternity leave at a Labour Party conference on Wednesday, arguing the policy will benefit both employees and employers without placing additional financial strain on businesses.
Speaking to journalists, Abela addressed concerns that small companies with limited staffing might struggle to cope with longer employee absences. He emphasised that the government would fully fund the extended leave, ensuring that employers would not bear the cost.
“The beneficiaries are the employees and those who employ them as well,” Abela said. “They will have employees whose productivity will increase.”
The proposal includes longer maternity and paternity leave, along with the introduction of an additional six months of paid leave funded by the state. According to Abela, the initiative is designed to improve work-life balance and foster a healthier, more satisfied workforce.
Abela argued that better working conditions, particularly those that allow employees to balance professional and family responsibilities, lead directly to higher productivity. He framed the reform as part of a broader vision for Maltese society.
“For me, work needs to complement family time,” he said, adding that the government aims to build a society where individuals can achieve a stronger balance between their professional and personal lives.
