The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has called off a press conference scheduled for today after the government presented a new set of proposals as the two sides discuss a renewal of the collective agreement for the sector.

During the press conference, the MUMN had been expected to issue industrial action directives to its members.

But the union called off the press event after it received the government’s counter proposals.

Last week, in an update to its members, the MUMN said it was planning industrial action after talks with the government had failed.

The MUMN had said that an urgent council meeting was to be held when “the directives would be discussed and decided and will be issued to all nursing and midwifery grades”.

MUMN had said it any “intimidation or strike breakers are to be reported to MUMN and will be treated with strict confidence”.

The MUMN had been prepared to announce its directives until the government's 11th hour move to present its counter proposals.