Addressing a high level event for a number of key clients and brokers of International Argus Group, Minister for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties Helena Dalli commended ARGUS Insurance Agency for their commitment towards equality both in recruitment and employment practices.
Apart from having a significant number of women in management positions, the company fullybelieves in the implementation of family-friendly measures that go over and above what is required by law. These include breastfeeding facilities, flexitime, reduced hours, responsibility leave and compassionate leave which are implemented through a fair and transparent framework. In addition, the company gives importance to work-life balance options for men and women with caring responsibilities.
Minister Dalli remarked how family-friendly measures foster greater employee satisfaction,
commitment and engagement and are correlated to increased productivity and revenue generation. It also impacts positively on client service.
Dr Dalli mentioned various policies which the government has put in place during the past three and a half years to boost the rate of employment including free childcare to all parents in work or in education. This measure has resulted in an increase in the number of women in the labour market.
“Government has also set up a special fund for maternity leave, financed by the contribution of all private employers according to the number of employees, irrespective of their gender to challenge discrimination against women at the point of recruitment” added Minister Dalli.
She also commended ARGUS Insurance for being one of the seven companies that this year were awarded the NCPE Equality Mark.
Minister Dalli was welcomed by Group Chairperson Shiela Nicoll, Group CEO Alison Hill and
Chief Executive Vanessa Borg.
