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Sep 23 - GSD Gives Contract Workers Announcement A “Cautious” Welcome

The GSD says it cautiously welcomes the Government and Unite’s “solution” to the ongoing issue affecting contract workers in the GHA, although it repeats that it is shameful that it took such pressure from Opposition and the employees themselves to bring about this change and there are “still many questions left unanswered.”

The GSD says that the length of contract for those who are in employment for less than four years requires clarification as this is crucial with respect to the acquisition of rights by those employees.  The Government’s use of the term ‘indefinite’ contract also requires clarification, according to the GSD; will employees be offered a permanent contract as required by law?  Although the GSD agrees that the idea of ensuring that local trainees fill as many posts as possible is to be supported, it feels that those working in the GHA for many years (including many expat British citizens) should be retreated with “respect, dignity and without discrimination.”

The Opposition also requests that Government make clear whether these new conditions will apply to the many employees, both local and non-local, who are currently employed on a temporary basis at the Care Agency.

Isobel Ellul-Hammond, Opposition Spokesman for Health, said: “The Government should be setting the standard in employment practices; this Government’s record with respect to the use of short term contracts remains extremely dubious.  Whilst giving the agreement a cautious welcome there are a number of issues that need to be clarified, not least to ensure that there is no discrimination against either locals or foreign nationals, amongst them many British citizens, working in Gibraltar.  Any sensible agreement should also be extended with the Care Agency where the same problem exists and we call on the Government not to forget about these employees in the Care Agency.”