Call for some casual nurses to be given full-time posts

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses has demanded the government put a number of casual nurses on a full-time contract following the departure of some full-time nurses from the health department.

The union warned it was prepared to order industrial action if the government ignored its request.

MUMN general secretary Colin Galea said casual nurses, "who do all the work related to their grade", should be given the opportunity to work on a full-time basis when a nursing post is vacant for three months, as stipulated in an agreement between the government and the union. According to Mr Galea, the government was reluctant to honour this agreement because two letters the MUMN had sent to the management and personnel section at the Prime Minister's Office, dated January 19 and February 12, remained unanswered.

"Nurses are being deprived of the salary they deserve," Mr Galea said.

The MUMN said the government's "lack of respect" for the nursing and midwife professions was leading disillusioned healthcare professionals to opt for a job abroad.

Mr Galea said the union was calling an extraordinary general meeting for April 19 to discuss what action to take.