This directive means investing directly in Maltese and Gozitan families

The new rights that will be introduced through the new Work Life Balance Directive, means that families will now be able to spend more time together.

Partit Nazzjonalista’s Head of Delegation in the European Parliament David Casa said this as he addressed a meeting organised by the European Information Office in Malta on the new Work Life Balance Directive. Casa explained how the new rights will revolutionise the way families address their daily challenge: finding a balance between their work duties and family life.

MEP David Casa, who spearheaded this new Directive as the Rapporteur for the European Parliament, said: “Our role in the European Parliament is to make sure that Maltese and Gozitan citizens are positively affected by laws discussed, debated and approved within European institutions. Throughout the negotiations on this new Directive, I have always kept the interests of the Maltese families and businesses in mind, and I believe that the end result reflects this.”

“I constantly meet young couples who plan on getting married and having children, but are daunted by challenges parents face today. We need to ensure that the rights of parents increase, while also providing the tools for women to reach their full potential in the workplace. This law will be good for women, good for families, good for the economy and good for business,” stated David Casa.

Casa also argued that businesses should be protected from the costs that this directive will create in order to ensure they are not stifled in the short term. The state should view these rights as social services and a direct investment in Maltese and Gozitan families. “SMEs form the backbone of our economy and their operations must not be hindered,” Casa insisted.

Late last month, the European Parliament and the Council reached a political agreement on this new Work Life Balance Directive, which will include the following:

10-day paternity leave remunerated at not less than the national sick pay level;
4 months of parental leave of which 2 months will be paid and non-transferable,
5-day annual carer’s leave for those who need to take care of relatives; and
the right to request flexible working arrangements.

MEP Casa thanked the representatives of unions, employers and all stakeholders that he was in contact with throughout the negotiations. Governments of the EU’s Member States have now approved this Directive, and a similar vote should follow at the European Parliament early next month.

Photos of the event can be accessed from David Casa's and the European Parliament's Office in Malta's Facebook Pages.