Malta ministry imposes house checks to verify sick leave

Malta's Ministry for Energy and Health has established a new policy that all employees in the archipelago's public health sector who call in sick for work may face random house checks, according to local report on Sunday.

In a recent circular sent to all health sector employees, it says that the ministry has introduced a "Sick Leave Verification System", which allows doctors to make random check whether the sick employees in actual unwell at home, came into effect on Jan. 1.

The ministry decided on taking such action after reaching an agreement with Medicare Services Ltd, which will be the new system's service provider.

However, Malta Workers' Union (UHM) issued a letter to its members reminding them of their basic rights in this respect. It clarified that while the employer has the right to send a doctor of its choice to check if an employee is really at home sick, that doctor does not have the right to carry out a physical examination. Therefore, the person has the right to refuse a medical examination by the doctor sent by the employer.

The union pointed out that no one, not even the employer, can refuse a personal doctor's certificate.

The only way a medical certificate can be refused is through the Medical Board, which can decide that a doctor has been guilty of malpractice by issuing a particular medical certificate, the UHM added. Endit