Over 4,000 workers in the public health sector will be getting better wages and conditions following a new sectoral agreement for nurses and midwives, the Office of the Prime Minister announced on Tuesday. It added that a new sectoral agreement was also signed for electrocardiogram technicians.
Following the signing of these sectoral agreements, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that these developments are a “strong testimony” of a Government committed to investing significantly in areas which do good for the community. He said that in this regard the health sector is one of the most important in the country.
The Prime Minister remarked that Malta’s health service is amongst the best, and that there is no doubt that the workers are an essential component in that reputation. He continued that therefore the Government is investing in one of the main professions involved in the provision of this service. He said that this agreement is leading to the best conditions nurses in Malta have ever had and added that the Government is “constantly improving the conditions of the workers”.
Abela said that the Government is aiming for more young people to choose nursing as their vocation and that developments such as this agreement are intended to strengthen the profession and incentivise it as a career choice. He said that this is one instance in a chain of initiatives which are aiming to improve the quality of life and grow the economy “so that the wealth which is created can be invested back in the most crucial areas”.
The President of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses Paul Pace was quoted by the Department of Information as saying that this agreement will be motivating for nurses and midwives. He said that everyone is aware of the shortage of nurses worldwide, but that here in Malta the problem was recognised and they worked together to encourage people to enter the profession while also incentivising those currently in the field to remain. He said that this sectoral agreement “could not have come at a better time” as it will begin addressing the shortage problems and “create an establishment”.
Pace said that there are many benefits to this agreement being signed. He said that the most important beneficiaries of this development are the patients of the various hospitals, the elderly people within institutions, the citizens visiting health centres, and the mothers giving birth within the hospitals.
During the signing of the collective agreements the Prime Minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health Chris Fearne as well as the Minister for Active Ageing Jo Etienne Abela. Principal Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana was also present along with other Government and union officials.