Labour accuses government of ‘promoting precarious work’ in health sector

The Labour Party has accused the Nationalist government of promoting precarious work in the health sector. The party said that government failed to following recommendations put forward by a board of inquiry in 2011, over the working condition of care workers.

Some 15 care workers at Mater Dei Hospital are currently following an industrial directive after the hospital's management refused to allow care workers to use operating theatres during public feasts.

"Moreover, these workers' employment conditions are not good and fail to respect their dignity," the party said in a statement.

According to the Care Workers Union, the hospital's management threatened to reduce their salary if they followed the directive.

"Instead of addressing the issue, the government is now denying these workers further conditions which regulate their work," Labour said.