Independent MP Marlene Hassan Nahon has said that recent clashes between the Government the Gibraltar NASUWT, Master Service, and now Grand Home Care “have provided a stark contrast to what the majority of voters entrusted the government on when they were elected in 2011.”

Ms Hassan Nahon continued: “Teachers, street cleaners and carers do the most important jobs in any society. Saddling these workers with uncertainty is not simply disrespectful, but it is detrimental to the services they provide, and those who benefit from them. Government policy in these cases, is affecting teachers and students, civilians and refuse collectors, and care workers and their patients.

“The Grand Home Care/MedDoc situation in particular has the potential of damaging the dedicated workers who care daily for our elderly and already vulnerable members of society, as well as those members themselves. Many patients who have been cared for by Grand Home Care employees suffer from Alzheimer’s and Dementia, for example, and it is those carers and nurses who have become familiar with the patients and know their needs meaning the patients will potentially be negatively impacted by the uncertainty and discomfort of this crisis.

“Not only is this state of affairs resulting in a gross disservice to the people involved, but apparently it is not even financially prudent. And perhaps, more worryingly even, is the fact that no tender process was adhered to.

"Fundamentally, the Government has to ask itself whether the differential is worth the pain and insecurity caused to staff and patients. Additionally, it needs to ask itself whether it is truly transparent when the contract was not made public, nor were standard tender procedures held. Although the Government appears to be speaking on behalf of MedDoc, which in itself raises an eyebrow, they do not appear to be willing to open up about the contract. It would also be useful to know at this juncture how many other contracts worth over a million pounds are being awarded in this manner?

"It seems that jobs, and potentially patient’s comfort, is being needlessly made uncertain. The Government should live up to its own promises of transparency and accountability so the workers and the people are fully informed of the contract, the procedures, and the intentions behind them.”