An analysis of policies encouraging female participation in the local workforce

Abstract

The European Union can prosper if it manages to drive economic growth across member states. In order to achieve this, female participation in the workforce has to increase. A number of initiatives are being implemented across Europe by the different bodies. These refer mainly to the overall employment rate, both for full-time as well as part-time employment. However, any policy should be supported with a number of other factors that influence the decision of females to return to employment. Females require a number of assurances and support measures in order to let go of unpaid work. These include first and foremost an adequate work-life balance that promotes sharing responsibilities with their male counterparts. Governments should come in to promote satisfactory childcare structures, flexible working arrangements, parental leave policies, entrepreneurial initiatives and tax regimes that aid families as much as possible. Other factors that come into play include gender equality and the relative gender pay gap and quotas. All of these are analysed both on a European perspective, as well as in terms of the Maltese market dynamics and the progress that has been made locally with regards to female participation in the local workforce. Even though there has been a significant growth, Malta still lags behind most member states and therefore a more pro-active approach needs to be employed both by the government as well as employers.