The teacher’s union on Monday lifted directives issued to learning support assistants after the government signed their appointment forms.

The Malta Union of Teachers had ordered industrial action on May 23 accusing the government of dragging its feet on recruiting about 120 LSAs who completed their training and qualified for employment during interviews.

Most of them, it added, had already worked with the government as supply teachers.

This meant they did the same job as an LSA but their employment was temporary. On Friday, the union stepped up the action saying it remained without an official commitment from the government. The Education Ministry said the union did not withdraw the action last week even after it was told that the 120 LSAs were being appointed and would soon be called in for work.

The union was also informed that another call for applications for LSAs had been issued, the ministry said.

Union president Kevin Bonello on Monday said the action was lifted only after the union was assured that the government had signed the appointment forms.

The union will be meeting ministry representatives today to iron out an issue regarding the date of appointment.