Gonzi hails jump in participation rate

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this evening welcomed official statistics showing that the participation rate in employment has, for the first time, exceeded 60%. Speaking at a PN rally in Sliema, Dr Gonzi said this increase was mostly the result of growth in the female participation rate, with more women opting to go to work.The female participation rate is now 44 per cent, from 38 per cent five years ago. Dr Gonzi said this was the result in the government's investment in family measures over the past five years, including heavy investment in education and favourable tax schemes for women who returned to work.