Helena Dalli, the Labour Party’s spokesperson for the public function and women’s rights, said the government was eroding conditions that helped women join the labour market.

She was referring to what she said was a confirmation by the health minister that there would not be a child care centre at the new Mater Dei hospital. There have been efforts, by those who needed such a centre, to have the service at the Mater Dei, just as it was available at St Luke’s Hospital, she said.

Ms Dalli said the prime minister was saying on television this week that the government was creating conditions of work that made this possible. In fact, the government was eating away at those rights, as was proved by this situation, she argued.

Child care centres were an economic asset – there was a staff shortage at the hospitals and weakening the conditions of work would exacerbate the problem, Ms Dalli said.