MUMN calls for full investigation after nurse goes four weeks without salary

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses is calling for a full investigation after a nurse went four weeks without a salary

MUMN secretary general Colin Galea said that while the union understood that mistakes can be made, it was unacceptable for these not to be remedied as soon as possible
MUMN secretary general Colin Galea said that while the union understood that mistakes can be made, it was unacceptable for these not to be remedied as soon as possible

The Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) is calling for a full investigation after a nurse went four weeks without a salary.

MaltaToday is informed that the nurse should have received her salary on May 19, along with the other public service employees. But for unknown reasons, the transfer of money was not effected and a secretary from the treasury out on sick leave continued to complicate matters for the 53-year-old mother.

The nurse will receive her salary in the coming days.

In comments to MaltaToday, MUMN secretary general Colin Galea explained how the primary healthcare worker should have received her salary 26 days ago, like the rest of her colleagues. 

Come payday, the woman checked her bank account only to find that the transfer had not been effected. After waiting for two days in the hope that the matter would be resolved without any complications, the nurse found that she still had not been paid. 

The woman proceeded to call the department of primary healthcare in Floriana, who would in turn inform her that the only person who could answer her queries was a secretary at the treasury department in Gozo responsible for the health salaries.

Up in arms and 15 days later, the nurse turned to the MUMN for help. After the nurses’ union contacted the salaries section and demanded that the nurse be presented with a cheque as soon as possible, a department official reassured the union that the woman would be paid.

“We are today in the fourth week and the nurse has not been paid. This situation is unacceptable and shameful. How can a worker go all these weeks without receiving a penny?” Galea told MaltaToday.

In reply to questions by this newspaper, a spokesperson for the Ministry for Health confirmed that the case is going to be investigated.

“As soon as the employee in question informed her superiors of the mishap, the Primary Healthcare Department took immediate action with the Gozo Salaries Section to rectify the situation,” the spokesperson said, adding that the nurse will receive the amount due with the next salary later this week. 

Galea said that workers had personal commitments to honour, bills to pay and families to maintain.

He said that while the union understood that mistakes can be made, it was unacceptable for these not to be remedied as soon as possible. He went on to add that it was not the first time that disagreements arose between the different departments in Malta and Gozo, with officials pointing fingers at each other. 

“There’s no form of accountability,” he added.

Galea reiterated that the MUMN was demanding a full investigation into the case.