Malta’s employers’ body has delivered a strong warning to both major political parties, cautioning that the election campaign is increasingly turning into a “bidding contest” driven by costly pledges and short-term populism rather than long-term economic planning. Launching its electoral memborandum, Malta Employers presented 140 proposals spread across twelve strategic pillars aimed at strengthening competitiveness, governance and fiscal sustainability. The document stresses that “there is no such thing as free money”, warning that unsustainable electoral promises would eventually lead to higher debt, increased taxes or fewer opportunities for future generations. Malta Employers President Ivan Refalo said election campaigns should serve as “a moment for serious reflection about the future we wish to build”, rather than becoming a race over which party can make the biggest promises. “The temptation to win short-term support through eye-catching pledges is deeply irresponsible,” Refalo said. “Leadership is not measured by how much one promises, but by how responsibly one governs.” (Newsbook)
PL Pledges Free Breast Screening for Women Over 45
The Labour Party has pledged to introduce free breast screening for women over the age of 45 as part of a broader commitment to women’s healthcare. The proposal was announced by Lydia Abela during a Mother’s Day event on Sunday, where she stressed the importance of early detection and regular health checks. She said encouraging more women to attend screenings could help identify cancer earlier and improve treatment outcomes. Abela also revealed plans for Malta’s first national women’s health strategy under a future Labour government. She said the strategy would aim to ensure access to healthcare services for women at every stage of life. During the event, Labour representatives also pledged to launch a national educational campaign designed to challenge stereotypes surrounding family roles and women in society. Speakers emphasised that fathers and husbands should not merely “help” mothers, but instead share equal responsibility within family life. Abela said the campaign would help reinforce the idea that women should be recognised as individuals in their own right, adding that cultural change was still needed in this area. (Maltatoday)
PN Pledges Six Months’ Paid Maternity Leave Under Family-Focused Plan
A future Nationalist government would extend maternity leave to six months on full pay, while also increasing paternity leave to four weeks, Opposition leader Alex Borg announced during a Mother’s Day campaign event in Mġarr. Addressing supporters alongside partner Sarah Bajada, Borg said the PN wanted to place families at the heart of national policy by giving parents greater support during the early stages of parenthood. He argued that the first months of a child’s life were crucial and that mothers deserved more time, security and dignity during that period. Under the proposal, maternity leave would rise from the current 18 weeks to 26 weeks, with the government covering the full salary for the first six months. Borg described the measure as a key social investment aimed at strengthening family life. The PN is also proposing to increase paternity leave from 10 working days to four weeks on full pay. Borg said fathers should not be treated as secondary figures in a child’s upbringing, insisting that raising children was a shared responsibility between both parents. (Times of Malta)
