In a statement issued yesterday, the UHM noted that comments about public service employees always surface when the collective agreement is nearing its end.

“The recent decision by the Health Division to stop recruiting people in professional grades where vacancies exist is a blunder, as is the one to stop filling vacant posts in the grading structure of employees in essential services,” said Public Services sector secretary J.M. Briffa.

The public service sector’s work prior to Malta’s EU accession was commended by everyone, and the government employees sector of the UHM has already expressed its displeasure at the recent news regarding overtime in summer. The sum mentioned as being spent on overtime during the summer months not only refers to employees working half days, but also those in essential public services, it said. UHM’s slogan: “a day’s pay for a full day’s work” shows it is responsible and is calling on workers to give a full day’s work, the statement concluded.