A new sectoral agreement has been signed between the government and two categories of workers: phlebotomists and decontamination & sterilisation technicians.

The signature was between the Health Ministry and the Malta Union of Midwives & Nurses (MUMN) on Monday and will remain valid for five years.

The Health Ministry said that the agreement assures, amongst other things, that these workers will be paid and will allow them to advance their career.  Allowances for these two categories of workers will also increase.

The agreement was signed by Permanent Secretary Joseph Chetcuti and Chief Medical Officer Walter Busuttil in the name of the Health Ministry, and by Paul Pace and Colin Galea who are the President and Secretary General of the MUMN respectively.

Mater Dei CEO Celia Falzon and Healthy Ministry director Rita Micallef along with shop stewards of these categories of workers were also present for the signing.

Health Minister Chris Fearne said he was satisfied with the agreement and praised all the workers involved in the agreement.

He also praised the MUMN for recognising that while it wanted to work in the interests of its members but while also keeping the interests of the patients as a priority.

Fearne said that this should always be the case and that the government remains committed to improving the conditions of health workers and thereby strengthen the services.

The agreement comes after industrial directives for eight months, with phlebotomists only seeing a set amount of people every day throughout that period.