Warden confirms rumours that they risked unemployment when not enough fines were issued

One of the experienced local wardens told Sunday newspaper Illum that the current employees are actually relieved of the proposed reform, saying they no longer will be seen as ‘public executioners’.

A warden with 12 years of experience told Illum that under the current system, which sees local wardens employed by the private sector, wardens were forced to issue a certain amount of fines in order to ensure the sustainability of the system.

“We were asked to issue a certain number of fines or risked losing our job. Certain wardens employed by a particular company were removed from particular routes after not reaching expectations regards the issuing of fines,” the warden said.

He says that it was up to the wardens to keep the system on its feet and that wardens were continuously under pressure to issue regular fines.

“We were fed up, We lived in an environment where we had to 'beat' the public or risk being 'beaten up' by our supervisors."

He expressed his hope that through the reform, the public will see wardens in a different light.

Asked whether wardens were afraid of losing their job should they not surpass the compulsory training entailed by the reform, he said that it was a risk they were ready to take.

"Every change brings several risks, but I can assure you that all wardens are ready to face this challenge because that is what the system neeeds: more discipline and a better quality."

He added that for the reform to be successful, the authorities should also ensure no interference from local councils and mayors in order to guarantee a fair and transparent system.

Read more in today’s issue of Illum.