Cardiologist and Nationalist MP Albert Fenech says he is being forced into doing part-time work in breach of policy, which is tantamount to working precariously.

He filed a judicial protest against the Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Chris Fearne, the health ministry’s permanent secretary and the Mater Dei Hospital CEO.

Mr Fenech said he had been providing a full-time service for more than 18 years, with the exception of one day because of a technical issue. He said he always gave valuable service in the interest of patients who wanted him to continue serving them on a full-time basis.

In the protest, signed by lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona, Mr Fenech complained that, on the premise that he had reached pensionable age, and ignoring the fact that, in fact, he had done so years ago and had remained in service even after his contract expired, he was now directed to work 20-hour weeks, which he believed was in breach of the provision against precarious employment.

Mr Fenech said that in his opinion the move was aimed at lowering his morale, so he would consider retiring completely, adding that the reason behind this could be his involvement in politics.

He complained that he was in a state of precarious employment, something that went against the government’s expressed policy.

He called on the court to order his reinstatement within a week and held the authorities responsible for any damages.