MUMN calls for Prime Minister's intervention to address social workers shortage

Nurses' union blames shortage of social workers in public health care on bad working conditions

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) has called on the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to find a solution to the shortage of social workers in public health care services.

"Malta is facing a serious shortage of social workers, which is especially felt in the public sector," MUMN said in a letter to Muscat, adding that the shortage was impacting public schools, old people's homes, Mount Carmel hospital, community services, the Corradino Correctional Facility and the Karen Grech rehabilitation centre.

Noting that all valiant efforts by CEOs and administrators to find a solution had proved ineffective, MUMN said blamed the shortage on poor working conditions, pointing out that the situation is leading to burnout among social workers. 

The situation was bad especially among social workers in the areas which care for children, those who suffer from mental illness and prisoners, with some workers having a workload which twice or three times bigger than normal.

Noting that the situation has been ongoing for years, MUMN said the solution could be resolved through a new sectorial agreement focused specifically on social workers.