The Government says it notes the protest held this afternoon by Unite the Union in connection with the pay claim submitted by the Gibraltar Health Authority’s Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). The Minister for Health and Care, Gemma Arias-Vasquez, alongside representatives from the Government’s Industrial Relations Department and the GHA, greeted the protestors on arrival at No6 Convent Place. 

A statement continued: “The Government expresses its surprise at the decision by Unite to protest under the banner “Allied Health Professionals Parity Pay Claim with the UK”, given that both the Minister for Health and Care and the GHA Director General have already confirmed their commitment to ensuring that AHPs in Gibraltar receive parity with their counterparts in the United Kingdom. 

“This position was clearly communicated to Unite the Union and to representatives of the AHPs by the Minister for Health and Care at a meeting held on Tuesday 3rd June 2025. During this meeting, the Minister confirmed that any AHP currently being paid below UK-equivalent levels would have their salary adjusted accordingly. Furthermore, the Government had agreed that these adjustments would have been backdated to 1st April 2025. 

“It is therefore deeply regrettable that, despite this clear and public commitment from the Government, the Union has opted to proceed with today’s protest.” 

The Minister for Health and Care, Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “It is disappointing that this protest has taken place despite my personal assurances to Unite and to Allied Health Professionals earlier this week. There should be no doubt that this Government stands by its commitment to parity with the UK. As I told the AHPs, the GHA now needs to confirm for itself, on behalf of all taxpayers, that it is in fact the case that there is a difference in salaries with the United Kingdom. I had hope that, given my assurances to them, and given the Government had even agreed to backdate these payments to 1st April 2025, that this matter would have already been put to bed and resolved.”