A petition calling on the Maltese Government to extend paid maternity leave has gathered significant traction, surpassing the 3,000-signature mark in just over two weeks, with 3,302 signatures recorded at the time of writing.

The petition argues that families should be given the option for one parent to remain at home with a child until the age of two, with the possibility of transferring leave between parents where necessary. The creator insist the proposal is not aimed at discouraging childcare services or career progression, but rather at creating what they describe as “real choice” for families facing financial pressures and rising living costs.

According to the petition, many parents currently feel compelled to return to work soon after birth, resulting in babies entering childcare as early as three months old. It also highlights that Malta’s maternity leave entitlement remains among the shortest in the European Union.

Maternity leave in Malta currently stands at 18 weeks for mothers, and 10 paid days for fathers. However the 18 weeks are below the EU average of 23.5 weeks.

Creator says response shows shared concern

WhosWho.mt spoke to the creator of the petition, Christabel Vella, who said the response reflects a broader conversation among parents about early childcare and parental support.

“I was fortunate to spend more time with my baby than the standard leave allows, and it made me realise just how important those early months are. Families should have a real choice. It shouldn't depend on luck or privilege,” says Ms Vella.

“Even while I was pregnant, I realised many parents were in agreement about how short maternity leave is. At three or four months, the baby is still too young and for many families, that isn’t nearly enough time to bond, adjust, or establish breastfeeding naturally. Pumping isn’t always practical, and babies benefit from consistent parental care for emotional regulation and healthy development. The petition reflects a shared concern: Families should have the option to care for their babies in the first months in a way that supports both emotional needs and practical realities, rather than being forced to rely on childcare centres at such an early stage."

All in all, Ms Vella hopes that the petition “starts a wider conversation about parental and maternity leave, and how families can have real choices to care for their babies in the early months.”

While the petition frames the issue as one of parental choice and child development, any potential policy shift would inevitably raise questions for employers around workforce planning, costs and operational continuity, particularly for SMEs and sectors already facing labour shortages.

At the same time, stakeholders argue that stronger parental leave frameworks can contribute to long-term employee wellbeing, retention and employer branding, making the topic increasingly relevant for business leaders as workplace expectations evolve.

For now, the petition’s rapid growth shows us that the discussion around maternity and parental leave is gaining momentum and may soon move from online signatures to wider policy debate.