Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1442202
NEWS 6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 JANUARY 2022 LAURA CALLEJA VOLT Malta has proposed parental leave to be equal for all parents regardless of their sex, gender and orientation and whether they choose adoption or surro- gacy. The party unveiled its proposals for the "reimaging of parental leave", say- ing that it defined parental leave in two different categories – individual and shared. It said it was essential to further gen- der equality, combat employer discrim- ination and improve the child's wellbe- ing. "Parenthood has always been one of the most vital roles humans must undergo. In today's socioeconomic cli- mate, the struggle of parenthood has been exacerbated. We aim to mitigate these struggles by making an equal and supportive policy of parenthood, one that does not place the responsibility of parenthood on the pregnant individual alone," Volt Vice-President and candi- date Kassandra Mallia said. Volt said each parent should receive 20 weeks of fully paid parental leave, paid by both the employer and the State at a rate of 100% of their respective in- come. Alternatively, the party said that they might opt for 25 weeks at 80% of their income. "The state will completely pay for self-employed individuals," Volt said. The party said that shared parental leave would be when a couple received 20 weeks of additional paid leave, paid at 70% of the couple's average income, and would decide between the couple how it was to be shared. "The party aims to ensure employed individuals would also benefit from both types of parental leave and receive money from a 'Parental Leave Fund' for their share," Volt said. The party added that single parents would also be eligible for individual parental leave equivalent to two par- ents and the ordinary amount of shared parental leave, and an option would be introduced for parents to transfer part of their parental leave to their partner, family member or guardian. Volt proposes 20 weeks of parental leave for each parent LUKE VELLA TREATMENT for cocaine abuse remains most prevalent in the drug rehabilitation centres of OASI and Caritas, as 46% of all residents are receiving treatment for abuse of the drug. The OASI Foundation is based in Gozo and caters for the prevention, intervention and treatment services in relation to drug and alcohol abuse and other addictions. Caritas Malta offers a rehabilitation programme for persons suffering from drug/alcohol/gambling problems, providing them with the re- quired life-long support and follow-up with the Aftercare Unit. According to information provided in parliament by social policy minis- ter Michael Falzon, there are currently 112 residents at those two centres. Men amount to 83% of residents, while fe- male remain in a minority at 17%. 18% of residents are there for heroin abuse, while 11% receiving treatment for cannabis abuse. A third of residents at the OASI centre are recovering from acohol addiction. 591 individuals are also being followed on an outpatient basis at Caritas, as well as 332 family members of. Malta's parliament approved cannabis legislation in December, now allowing adults to possess up to 7g, cultivate four plants at home and buy the product from regulated clubs. A new cannabis authority has been formed with psychotherapist Mariella Dimech, a former Caritas drug rehab coordinator, appointed as the first ex- ecutive chairperson. Dimech is a psychotherapist by pro- fession and worked with Caritas for 21 years, half of which she served as coor- dinator of all drug rehabilitation pro- grammes and services. For six years, she ran the San Blas Therapeutic Commu- nity. The Opposition voted against the law and more than 50 church-led organ- isations and individuals in a last-ditch effort petitioned MPs to make the law more restrictive. 46% of residents at OASI and Caritas receiving treatment for cocaine abuse