Collective Agreement Signed Between Church Schools And MUMN For Employees In Social Work Grades
The Secretariat for Catholic Education and the Union of Midwives and Nurses (MUMN) have signed a collective agreement concerning employees in social work grades. This builds upon the same agreement reached earlier this year between the Government and MUMN for equivalent grades working in the public sector.
The new agreement aligns with the accord signed in 1991 between the Holy See and the Republic of Malta, which established that all employees necessary for educational services in Church schools should benefit from the same working conditions as those employed in state schools.
Fr Mark Ellul, Delegate for Catholic Education, emphasised that at the heart of the Church’s educational mission is a preferential option for the poor. He highlighted that professionals within the Secretariat working in social work grades play a concrete role in this mission, quietly and dedicatedly supporting families with children in Church schools, particularly the most vulnerable or marginalised.
“Poverty in Malta and Gozo takes many forms, ranging from material deprivation to needs for emotional, psychological, and social support,” Fr Ellul explained. He added that these same professionals also assist in safeguarding the welfare and security of students against various forms of abuse a critical task for the Church, carried out in full collaboration with the Safeguarding Commission and civil authorities.
Mr Paul Pace, President of MUMN, praised the Secretariat for Catholic Education for continuing to strengthen the employment conditions of its staff. He also thanked the Government, with which the original agreement was reached, forming the basis for this Church school sector agreement.
The MUMN President stressed that Maltese society needs young people committed to social work, and should continue to value all those contributing to this sensitive field. He insisted that MUMN has always been, and remains, committed to ensuring that all categories it represents, including those serving in social work grades, have their work duly recognised and compensated.
The Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation, Clifton Grima, while congratulating the Secretariat and MUMN on the agreement, emphasised that students experiencing hardship cannot reach their full potential if their essential needs, including feeling loved and protected, are not met. He stated that as Minister responsible for Education, he safeguards the interests of all students across sectors, in line with applicable obligations and agreements. The Minister noted that thanks to the Government’s commitment to sustainable public good, agreements like this can be reached for the benefit of Maltese and Gozitan citizens.
Also present at the signing were Dr Ian Mifsud, Director General of the Secretariat for Catholic Education; Mr Colin Galea, Secretary General of MUMN; and Dr Joyce Cassar, Permanent Secretary (People and Standards) from the Office of the Prime Minister.
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