Vassallo Group organised a Business Brunch at The Malta Chamber of Commerce to discuss one of Malta’s most pressing social and economic challenges. This event served as the opening event of Vassallo Group’s 80th anniversary celebrations throughout 2026.
The theme of the Business Brunch: Cradle & Career: Easing the Work–Family Squeeze was inspired by the research study Perceptions and Attitudes of Women and Men in Malta Towards Work-Life Balance: With a Specific Focus on Family Size, commissioned by the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) and authored in 2024 by Professor Anna Borg and Professor Liberato Camilleri.
This business brunch, moderated by Amanda Ciappara, Head of Business Development at Beacon Media Group, brought together policy-makers and stakeholders to reflect on how organisations, institutions and society at large can better support individuals in balancing career aspirations with family life.
The event included a panel composed of Prof. Anna Borg, who was the keynote speaker, Ms Rachel Bondi Attard, Mr Kevin J Borg, Ms Elaine Compagno and Mr Ivan Falzon, who discussed and explored the subject.
Presenting findings from her most recent study, Prof. Anna Borg highlighted a stark gap between desired and actual fertility rates, with women wishing for two children or more, yet the current rate stands at one, and the average age of motherhood is rising beyond 30. The keynote speaker called for better workplace policies, greater shared responsibility between couples, and an open conversation around prioritising family time.
The study explores how work realities, care responsibilities and societal expectations are shaping life choices, family formation and workforce participation in Malta.
Prof. Borg expressed confidence that inclusive solutions benefiting all parties can be found, and encouraged the exploration of alternative models that create a meaningful difference in people’s lives. She drew attention for a broader national conversation around the quality of both childcare and after-school care provision.
The event was also addressed by Shadow Minister for Social Dialogue, Hon. Ryan Callus, and Natalie Briffa Farrugia, the Chairperson of Vassallo Group, underlining the relevance of the discussion to Malta’s social and economic policy agenda.
Hon. Ryan Callus, Shadow Minister for Social Dialogue and Trade Promotion, noted that milestone occasions such as the Vassallo Group’s 80th anniversary provide a valuable platform for important societal dialogue. He stressed that career and family are no longer separate concerns, and that organisations investing in employee wellbeing benefit from greater productivity and lower turnover. He highlighted the pressures of an ageing population, the rising property prices, and a low fertility rate. He called for a future where family time is prioritised, and work is measured by the quality rather than the quantity of hours.
In her closing remarks, the Chairperson of Vassallo Group, Natalie Briffa Farrugia, acknowledged that while no easy solutions exist, the conversation itself holds great importance. With work-life balance embedded in Vassallo Group culture for over 15 years, Natalie Briffa Farrugia expressed pride in the progress achieved while recognising that more remains to be done. She further explained that flexibility in working hours and an optional hybrid model are established practices within the Group, with many success stories demonstrating measurable gains in employee productivity and resilience. The Chairperson of Vassallo Group concluded her message that no individual should ever be forced to choose between family and career.