Government-run childcare centres will be opening at 10am today – two-and-a-half hours late – as part of industrial action ordered by the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin.

The union issued directives to members employed with the Foundation for Educational Services after it was not satisfied with the management’s proposals on workers’ conditions.

It is claiming that the proposed conditions lacked health and safety aspects, the carer-to-child ratio was not being respected and employees were being transferred from one place to another.

As a result of the industrial action ordered, UĦM members who work at the foundation – which runs the government childcare centres – will not go beyond the established child-carer ratio.

Also, workers were instructed not to answer the phone or send e-mails.

Last week, the foundation criticised the UĦM for ordering the industrial action, which will delay the opening of 13 State childcare centres across the island. It advised parents not to take their children to centres before 10am.

The childcare centres affected by the industrial action are: Il-Bejta Smart Kids, Cospicua; It-Tbissima Smart Kids, Qormi; Birkirkara Smart Kids; Il-Pespus Smart Kids, Marsa; Vittoriosa Smart Kids; Pizzi Pizzi Kanna Smart Kids, Naxxar; Qawra Smart Kids; Is-Sardinella Smart Kids, San Ġwann; Id-Denfil Smart Kids, Siġġiewi; Il-Qawsalla Smart Kids Gżira; Il-Bebbuxu Smart Kids, Santa Venera; Il-Merill Childcare Centre, Pembroke and It-Tgħannieqa Smart Kids, Floriana.