Malta : increasing female participation through childcare services in the workplace

Abstract

Malta is aiming for a higher female participation rate in the labour force. At present, the activity rate stands at 37% (National Statistics Office (NSO), 2006). According to the National Reform Programme (Government of Malta, 2005), female employment needs to increase to 41 % by the year 2010. The lack of women's participation in the Maltese labour market is quite striking. A study conducted by NSO in January 2006 revealed that family and care responsibilities are the main reason for the inactivity of women aged between 45 and 64. Moreover, an estimated 12% of the employed population with child-caring responsibilities said that they had to make use of their vacation leave, or have specific working arrangements when children were on school holidays or when the childcare service they used was not available (NSO, News Release 24/2006). [excerpt]