Police unions clinch agreement for higher wages for officers and staff

Better wages and conditions have been locked down in a sectoral agreement for over 2,000 members of the police force.

The government said the deal, signed between the ministry for home affairs and police officers’ unions, will be a “direct investment in workers serving the common good.”

The agreement was signed during a visit to the disciplined corps’ academy by Prime Minister Robert Abela.

“This agreement is evidence of our support for human resources investment in this important pillar for the security of our country, which is at the heart of the Maltese and Gozitan communities. Sectoral agreements mean increases in wages and allowances, amongst other benefits such as faster progress in scales, and recognises the work police officers do when they encounter several unforeseeable scenarios, granting them legal protection,” Abela said.

Abela said the government has to provide tools for the continuous investment in the Corps if it was to maintain law and order in the country.

The unions Police Officers Union (GWU) and Malta Police Union welcomed the sectoral agreement, celebrating the spirit of dialogue and respect during negotiations.

The POU-GWU said the deal recognised police officers as a crucial pillar in maintaining order while the MPU said it would certainly strengthen present conditions for workers to have a solid basis for the future.