Żminijietna – Voice of the Left supports the Malta Union of Nurses and Midwives (MUMN) with respect to the European Directive 36 of 2005 (2005/36/EC), that legislates on the recognition of professional qualifications in the medical field. Żminijietna will also put forward this directive on the agenda for discussion in the MEUSAC Sectoral Committee.

Most of the proposals in this directive are positive, as they facilitate mobility for a person specialised in healthcare; more access to information and less paperwork; the introduction of an alert mechanism where all member states are informed about those professionals who have lost their recognition due to reasons of discipline, court and so on; more transparency and justification in terms of regulations for professions.

The directive is recommending that for a person to enter into a course of nurses and midwives, the person should have undergone 12 years of general education (primary/secondary).

With regards to this proposal, Żminijietna agrees to a harmonisation of this directive but feels that Malta should ask for a transition period to implement it. We believe that the implementation of this directive will reduce ‘social dumping’.

The Minister of Education should clarify Malta’s position on this directive, especially with regards to the nursing and midwifery fields. We would also like to appeal for an improvement in working conditions in this sector.

■ Michael Camilleri

President

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left