Women and employment : factors that encourage Maltese females to engage in the local labour market

Abstract

Considering the fact that the Maltese Islands have one of the lowest female employment participation within the European Union, the study investigates factors that encourage females to engage in the local labour market. Using a quota sample of 400 working females (with breakdowns using population age and occupation group proportions), the study revealed the primary factors that encourage Maltese females to work, in order of importance, are: financial independence, earning money for basic necessities, socialisation, skills/ability utilisation, achievement, responsibility, to enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle, keeping busy, self-esteem, career advancement, recognition, to contribute to the economy, creativity, to feel an important member in society, escape and supervision. Factor analysis revealed that these seventeen work motivators can be grouped under two factors; namely: Personal and Professional Development (Factor 1), and Social and Economic Well-being (Factor 2). Additionally, in examining whether the factor scores varied as a function of occupation and age groups, Multivariate Analysis of Variance confirmed that the Factor 1 scores varied significantly as a function of occupation, with legislators/senior officials/managers reporting the highest Personal and Professional Development scores. Finally, binary logistic regression revealed that the probability of working up to at least the retirement age was associated with a higher level of education, and a greater work motivation related to Personal and Professional Development and Social and Economic Well-being. The study goes on to provide a set of recommendations in better guiding local policy makers and employers in retaining and/or attracting females to work in the local labour market. The study concludes by providing interesting avenues for further research.