The UHM Voice of the Workers has said that it will be issuing a directive for workers who will be affected by closures of schools etc, to work from home, or if the nature of their work doesn’t allow, to be given alternative duties to be able to work from home.

In a statement, the union said that while it appreciated the measures issued by the Education Ministry, it was ”disappointed” that the Ministry issued such measures without consulting all the Unions involved, thereby caused causing ”inconvenience to a number of workers.”

This arrangement applies to UHM members if they have:

children registered at Child Care Centres;

children registered in Club 3 to 16 and aged 12 or under;

children aged 12 and under who will take online tuition on Thursday and Friday;

children with disabilities who are dependent on their parents;

The UHM stated that ”this directive will remain in force as long as centres / schools remain closed. This directive does not apply in case one of the parents is available to take care of the child.”

The UHM Voice of the Workers reminds that our country has one hospital and therefore the measures taken must be in such a way that there is no extra burden on the hospital and the health professionals.

This Union concluded by saying that it understands that there is ”currently strong pressure on the Superintendence of Public Health due to delays on quarantine letters, which are having repercussions on workers and workplaces. In this context, this Union is appealing for all Unions to be involved in drawing up a strategy for the good of Malta and Gozo.”

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