‘Saying it is easy, implementation is not’ – Chamber of SMEs chief on family friendly measure proposals

“Saying it is easy, implementing it is not,” President of the Malta Chamber of SMEs Paul Abela said, in reaction to Prime Minister Robert Abela’s statement that the family-friendly measures being proposed would not negatively impact productivity.

During an interview with this newsroom, the Chamber of SMEs President was asked whether the two major political parties have promised too much during the electoral campaign, including through the PN’s promise for income tax cuts, and the PL’s pledged super bonus.

Mr Paul Abela said that the proposals depend on the economy continuing to succeed as it is.

“It is important to note that the Government and the Opposition are promising many things, but they would implement them if the economy continues doing well.”

He said that during his introductory speech for a debate organised by the SME Chamber last week between the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader, he had told them to look at how every proposal they make and plan to implement would impact small businesses.

Here, he said that all that is being offered, including proposals regarding maternity and paternity leave, are good proposals, but highlighted the labour shortage.

He said that in the SME Barometer survey that the Chamber conducts, a shortage of workers is highlighted.

“When offering all of this, and they are all good and I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me to mean that I don’t want them, but (we have to ask) how will we find workers to replace?”

He questioned: “If a business owner runs a shop and has one other employee, if that employee takes 8 months pregnancy leave, or if they take that paternity leave, who will work in the shop?”

Prime Minister Robert Abela had said that his party’s proposed family-friendly measures would not negatively impact productivity. “Saying it is easy, but implementing it is not,” Mr Paul Abela said.

He said the Prime Minister has in mind that the Government will be paying. But the replacement of the people is the issue, he says, in reference to the leave periods.

Production varies according to the workplace, he explains. If a factory has 100 employees and five are out on pregnancy leave under what was pledged, it wouldn’t really be felt, “but if one of three employees in a small business does, that’s one third of the workforce.”

“If you’re not finding people to employ in your business as it is, how will you find people to fill in? We don’t have a pool of unemployed workers from which you can bring someone in. You post a job advert today and nobody responds.”

As for how the impact on small businesses due to the proposed increase in family-friendly measures could be mitigated, he said that this is something the MCESD needs to discuss.

The measures seem to target Malta’s low birth rate. But Mr Abela does not believe the birth rate will be fixed. “As many incentives as they are proposing, I think Maltese couples are restricted to saying that they can only manage with one child.”

“If you live in a flat and have two children instead of one, you need to move apartment. Then there are school costs.”

“When I was young, you’d go to school, return home by bus and you’d play in the street. But today there those who want to play tennis, others who go to football or waterpolo… always on the go.” He said that the lifestyle for children has also changed.

“I don’t think we can fix the birth rate.”

No matter how much a Government gives, you need to look at how a couple will cope with more children.

As for the Prime Minister’s statement, that he would like to discuss with the MCESD about a workers right to request remote working or a compressed week, and whether he believes this could be achievable, Mr Abela stressed the need to “think small first. One size fits all doesn’t work.”

He reiterated the importance of looking at the impact on small businesses. “You cannot mix in small business with big business. The Prime Minister is intelligent, he is a lawyer, but he doesn’t understand the running of a business.”

He said that the Prime Minister’s job is to create policy, but should first discuss policy with the social partners.

“We find solutions, but the problem isn’t money,” Mr Abela said. “If I run a small restaurant and don’t have waiters to staff it, what am I going to do with that money? I’d want to hire people, but you won’t find, or would find some who aren’t capable.”