A legal analysis on the feminisation of the labour market

Abstract

This thesis explores the phenomenon of the feminisation of the labour market, which refers to the surge of women entering the employment world. Notwithstanding that the female employment rate has increased within the last decades, there are still remnants of measures and norms which compliment the notion that men are the breadwinners of the family while women take up the unpaid role of carer. Thus, the female employment rate is still lower than anticipated and it must continue to rise at an even faster pace in order to combat the effects of an ageing population and lower birth rates. This thesis delves into an analysis on whether the legislative framework across the Maltese Islands and the European Union is sufficient in eradicating gender inequalities, while still providing enough incentives for women to enter the work force. Government initiatives also provide a clearer picture of the measures the latter is implementing in order to facilitate the entry of women within the workforce. This thesis also provides insight on the lack of gender balance within high-ranking and decision-making positions in Malta and across the European Union, including an evaluation on the recently proposed gender quota Directive. The final chapter then focuses on the principles of equal economic independence and equal pay for equal work across the European Union and how its efforts, strategies and measures have been transposed within the Maltese legal and practical structures. The boost of female participation within the labour market is vital so as to contribute to a greater production rate, the utilisation of human capital and as a step towards securing future economic growth.