The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses said Monday that it is prepared to increase directives should government fail to address the union's proposals, claiming that government told nurses and midwives that there is no money for them.

In a press conference held by the union in front of Castille, MUMN President Paul Pace said that nurses and midwives were the real victims of the "fraudulent Steward hospitals concession," as government forked out millions to Steward, but is now telling nurses and midwives that there is no money for them.

The MUMN had long protested against unfavourable working conditions for nurses and midwives, with government falling short of reaching a sectoral agreement with the union. More than 4,000 nurses are on strike across all hospitals.

The union gave the media a set of photos showing hospital beds occupying the staff canteen, hospitals' corridors and photos of portable showers and toilets, highlighting the lack of privacy both patients and staff have.

 

Pace said that the treatment the union has been given was humiliating and insulting.

"Patients will continue to go in the corridors and canteens as government has no vision or ideas on how to tackle this situation. We will not receive any money, as they told us that they do not have any for us, and that we're being greedy," Pace said.

He described a two-page document given by government as a piece of "toilet paper," showing the government's arrogance in attitude against nurses and midwives.

The document, rather than addressing the 37-proposal document devised by the union, asked the union a number of questions, one of which was what would nurses and midwives be giving to the taxpayer in return, with Pace calling this an insult.

"They did not ask Steward what it would give back to taxpayers. The Prime Minister has defended the pigs at the core, and objects to spending money on nurses," Pace said.

"They will take us to court, but not Stewards," he said.

The package proposed by the union would cost around €75 million, as opposed to the government's €120 million it has intimated.

He continued to accuse health authorities of intimidating nurses for obeying industrial action issued by the union.

Pace said that it was shameful that Steward paid millions to perform run of the mill works while government is being stingy with nurses, takes the union to court and 'bullies' them, not Steward.

From the millions which were given to Steward over the past eight years, government has made no new investment in Mater Dei and Mount Carmel. He said that he was shocked to hear Prime Minister Robert Abela say that government is the victim in the Stewards scandal.

 

He said the sectoral agreement proposals made by MUMN were intended to make the profession attractive to young people and to keep foreign health workers in Malta.

"I am sorry we had to arrive at this stage and resort to industrial action, but we had no other choice," Pace said, adding that the industrial action ordered so far has exempted key areas such as the cancer hospital, children's wards and emergency services, to avoid a full-blown strike like what happened in the UK.

Pace told The Malta Independent that directives issued were 'light,' but if government continues with the same attitude, and fails to address all the union's proposals in a timely manner, coming back with meaningful counter-proposals, then the union will have to increase directives.

He emphasized that the directives exempted a lot of important areas in the health services.

Pace also said that nurses and midwives have to undergo performance appraisals which affects allowances given to them according to appraisal, which, he emphasized, was only being done to nurses. 

The Commissioner for Health urges resolution to industrial action impacting the Maltese healthcare system

The Office of the Ombudsman, in a statement, said it is closely monitors the ongoing industrial action instituted by the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) across Malta's public hospitals and healthcare facilities.

"We recognise the fundamental right of healthcare professionals, including nurses and midwives, to engage in industrial action as a means to voice their grievances and seek a fair resolution. At the same time, we urge the Ministry for Health and the MUMN to exercise caution and ensure that patients are not unduly affected by the industrial action. The welfare of individuals who rely on the Maltese healthcare system for essential care and support must be considered a top priority for all parties concerned," the office said.

"We call upon both parties to engage in open and constructive dialogue to resolve the issues involved. It is crucial that both parties work together to address the concerns and find solutions while ensuring that the continued provision of healthcare services to the public is maintained.

The Commissioner for Health encouraged the Ministry for Health and the MUMN to work collaboratively towards a solution that respects the rights and well-being of healthcare professionals and patients.

This Office said it will continue to closely monitor the situation and stand ready to offer any necessary assistance to facilitate prompt and fair resolution of disputes ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders are fairly represented.