MFPA survey report: How is Covid-19 affecting professionals

Press Release

This press release is being issued following a survey MFPA carried out in relation to Covid-19 situation and its effects on professionals.

Summary of findings

The Malta Federation of Professional Associations carried out a survey in the first week of April (30 March – 6 April), about the current working conditions of professionals. The aim was to have a clearer picture of the difficulties professionals are facing in the current situation and be in a position to make proposals to authorities.

The following are the most important points and facts that emerged from the 1163 responses received by individual professionals. Respondents included both members of MFPA Member Organisations (MO) and other professionals.

Demographics

• 65.3% of the total respondents were healthcare professionals.
• The sample was made of 83.8% respondents who come from MFPA MOs and 16.2% other professionals.
• The majority were females (56%).
• There were three different employment categories: 48.7% were employed, 17.7% employed and also with part-time private practice while 33.6% were self-employed.
• 53.2% were under 40 years old and 37.5% had children younger than 15 years of age.

Working place

• 87.2% normally have face to face contact with clients, of which 64.4% work in clinics, hospitals or pharmacies.
• The absolute majority of self-employed (97.4%) see clients face to face.
• Respondents were asked whether they were at high risk of being infected with the Covid-19 virus and 33% reported they were.

The survey enquired on the stress factors, specifically in relation to the last two weeks of March 2020

• It was reported that 28% of the total respondents reported they worked longer hours since mid-March
• 72% feel more stressed than usual.
• Should the current situation persist for a further two months, 33% reported they think that their level of stress will increase.
• Self-employed reported the higher rate of stress (74.9%), compared to 70.5% of those who are employed and 70.6% employed with part-time private practice.

Finally, the survey addressed financial factors

• Respondents were asked whether they suffered financial losses during the last two weeks of March. A staggering 96.9% of self-employed professionals reported they suffered a loss
• 70.3% of self-employed reported a loss of more than 50% of their usual income.
• 83.5% of those in full-time employment with part-time private practice also reported financial losses with 25.2% of these reporting a loss of more than 50%.
• When asked whether financial packages announced by the government will be of help to them, 62.7% of the self-employed reported that none of the packages apply to them, 25.8% did not know while only 11.5% reported that these packages will be helpful to them.
• 70.1% of self-employed suggested that tax credits could be one type of compensation.
• Other suggested compensations by all employment categories included: reducing utility bills, increase in health allowance, provide danger money, suspension of bank loans, subsidised salaries, provide wage supplement, and provision of additional monetary bonuses.
• 42.2% of the employed and 63.1% of those in employment with part-time private practice also reported that tax credits could be one type of compensation.

A second survey will be issued this week which will take into consideration the fact that professionals can also be employers who employ other professionals and ancillary staff in their practices. These professionals have heavily invested in the premises of their practices as well as in very expensive equipment needed to offer a high quality professional service to the public. It is important to analyse how the current situation is impacting this category and their staff.

MFPA Survey press release 24 April.docx