'We always consult social partners': PL respond to Chamber 'populism' claims

A PL government will consult social partners before it implements its plans to extend maternity and paternity leave, Andy Ellul said after the Chamber criticised both parties for making “populist” pledges. 

Ellul, who remains the junior minister responsible for social dialogue, said that all leave entitlements recently introduced by his government came following dialogue and agreement with social partners - including the Chamber of Commerce. 

On the PL’s new proposals- which include an extension of maternity leave to six months, and extending paternity leave to one month -  a Labour government will similarly consult with social partners, he said during a press conference on Tuesday. 

The PL is also proposing the right to ask for remote working, flexi time and a compressed work week. 

“I don’t agree with those who say that about our measures. Helping our families is not populist. We are speaking about measures that are targeted, that will help mothers and fathers”. 

Ellul also said that the government’s measure of giving workers a €1,000 “super bonus” was also not a populist measure. 

“It's the same idea with the so called ‘super bonus’ - this intervention will apply to all workers. We cannot speak of well-being if we don’t ensure we are helping all workers directly,” Ellul said. 

Over the weekend the Malta Chamber of Commerce warned Robert Abela and Alex Borg to stop making populist campaign promises that would “harm the business community and Malta’s economy” if implemented.

In the open letter to both the Labour and Nationalist party leaders, Chamber president William Spiteri Bailey said the group had “serious concern” about various measures it described as “short-term” and “reckless”.

He did not specify which measures he was referring to. 

The PL had not yet made their “super bonus” proposal at the time the Chamber had sent the open letter. 

Ellul was answering questions following a PL press conference that listed the number of new leave entitlements the PL government has granted during its legislature. Ellul, alongside MP and candidate Rosianne Cutajar, also listed the proposals the Labour Party has already pledged during this electoral campaign. 

Those include the extension of urgent family leave from 15 hours to four work days, the introduction of parental leave and increasing paternity leave from one day to 10 days. 

He also mentioned the 100 hours of leave that prospective parents can apply for if they are undergoing IVF treatment.