The Nationalist Party has criticised the Government for what it described as “obstinacy and arrogance” that has “deprived new parents over the past three years of more parental leave.”
In a joint statement, PN Shadow Ministers Ryan Callus, Ivan Castillo, Albert Buttigieg and Graziella Attard Previ recalled that when the Opposition had presented a Parliamentary Motion urging the extension of paternity and parental leave — following the EU Work-Life Balance Directive led by PN MEP David Casa — the Government “chose to vote against it.” They said that now, after three years, the Government “has realised this was a mistake” and has announced plans to start extending paternity leave.
“This once again shows how the Government acts out of partisanship and spite towards the Opposition, forgetting the people in the process,” the statement read. The PN argued that, had its proposal been implemented earlier, “new fathers could have enjoyed more time with their children.”
The Opposition reiterated its commitment to introducing “longer maternity leave, parental leave usable by both parents, and a consultation on a four-day week,” stressing that family time is “just as essential” and that a Nationalist Government would deliver on this principle.
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