PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL PERMANENT SECRETARY The Government provides transparent information on negotiations with the MUT Regarding the MCAST Agreement

Dr Joyce Cassar, Principal Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister and responsible for the Industrial Relations Unit, together with Matthew Vella, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, have provided the latest updates on ongoing negotiations between the Public Administration and the MUT regarding the MCAST agreement.

The Government is ensuring that the interests of students and educators are prioritised. MCAST has every right and obligation to minimise any negative impact on students while ensuring stability in their academic journey. The Government cannot accept unsustainable demands that could increase the burden on students and their families.

The Public Administration believes that information has not been fully disclosed and it is essential that all MCAST lecturers and staff, students and their families, and the general public, are provided with the relevant information, along with clarity on what is being proposed and discussed.

The Government cannot endorse the principle of remunerating lecturers based on whether their students pass or fail their examinations. Consequently, it cannot agree to the proposed €400 payment for the preparation of exam papers for students who do not pass. This is not the only unsustainable demand that has been raised during the discussions.

The Government also cannot accept a scenario where employees whose roles involve direct interaction with students are allowed to work two days per week from home. Furthermore, it is entirely unacceptable for these remote working days to be accumulated and utilised during other periods of the year.

In its commitment to addressing the needs of MCAST students and educators, the Government has continued negotiations with the MUT, even after the introduction of industrial actions, an approach that is typically not pursued.

Throughout this process, a total of 70 meetings have been held. Over the past eight weeks, significant progress has been achieved in the negotiations, with agreements reached on several points. However, the ongoing directives continue to negatively impact students, their families, and industry that are unable to employ these students. This is despite the consistent calls by the public administration for these directives to be lifted.

The Government remains open to further discussions and agreements, provided the current directives are withdrawn. This step is essential to address the needs of students, ensure respect for all Government employees, and uphold the principle of industrial fairness.

During this press briefing, which was also attended by the Principal of MCAST, Mr Stephen Vella, he reiterated his commitment to providing a high-quality educational environment for students while promoting the well-being of staff in a sustainable and balanced manner.r