CareMalta, Active Ageing deny Mellieħa home AC fault following GWU directives
The General Workers Union called for immediate action to bring about a safe environment for workers and residents
Updated 3.37pm with Active Ageing statement
CareMalta and the Active Ageing Secretariat have denied General Workers Union claims that the air conditioning at its care home in Mellieħa is not working.
"CareMalta categorically states that the information regarding the air conditioning systems is incorrect. All air conditioning units are fully operational and remain in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," a spokesperson for the company said.
The secretariat said an on-site visit had "confirmed that all air conditioning units were and are all working".
Carer requests for temperatures of between 18°C and 19°C "are not considered ideal within a residential care setting for older persons", the secretariat said, adding that the optimal temperature was 24°C.
On Thursday, the GWU filed an industrial dispute against Healthmark, the company that employs workers at Dar il-Madonna tal-Mellieħa, which provides accommodation for older people.
The GWU said that while Healthmark is not responsible for maintaining the building, the dispute was registered against the company since it employs the union’s carers.
CareMalta operates the home on Triq il-Wied via a public-private partnership.
'Heat-related exhuastion'
In a statement, the GWU said working conditions are currently unacceptable.
“Carers and other employees working inside the residential home are being exposed to excessively high temperatures for prolonged periods, placing them at clear risk of heat-related exhaustion and other health issues associated with extreme heat. This situation is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue," they said
“This is not the first time this problem has occurred during the summer months. The repeated failures of the air conditioning systems are creating an unacceptable working environment for employees and raising serious concerns about their health and safety".
The union added that it has formally notified the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) and requested that it investigate the matter without delay.
“Until the air conditioning systems are fully restored and a safe working environment is re-established, the GWU is instructing its members a directive that will remain in force until management takes the necessary steps to ensure safe and suitable working conditions,” the union said.
Sources said the directive is for carers not to change bed sheets at the home.
The union said it reserves the right to escalate its industrial actions and issue further directives should the issue persist.
“The GWU expects Healthmark to take immediate action and do everything necessary with the competent authorities to ensure that this issue is resolved without further delay, thereby guaranteeing a safe environment for both employees and the residents,” they said.
Times of Malta has contacted the active ageing secretariat for comment.