Disciplined forces get ‘structured way’ to defend their rights

4,000 members of disciplined forces can join a trade union • Video by Ray Attard

Disciplined forces now have a “structured way” of how to defend their rights as workers, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said.

Flanked by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Abela was addressing a press conference at the Police Academy at Ta’ Kandja. Present for the conference were Police Commissioner Michael Cassar, head of the Civil Protection Department John Rizzo, Assistant Police Commissioner Ray Zammit, head of Police Academy Joe Cachia and Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi.

“This is another electoral pledge implemented by the government,” Abela said, after the President of the Republic signed the law.

“Members of the disciplined forces now enjoy the right to join a union of their own choice. This will help them improve their rights and fight for their working conditions.”

Some 4,000 members of the disciplined forces can join a union. As in international practice, they however do not have the right to strike.

“Their services are too important,” Abela said, adding that however they could now push for their rights in a more “structured manner”.

Muscat said that the right of members of the disciplined forces to join a union of their choice is protected by EU law and has long been promised them.

Around 4,000 members will benefit from this change in the law – 2,128 from the police corps, 1,706 from the AFM, 241 staff members at Corradino Correctional Facility and 107 members of the Civil Protection department.

“This right has been acknowledged by a government that believes that the disciplined corps should have every right to represent them. This right also brings with it responsibilities to our country,” he said. “The police corps needs to work hard to regain the trust it lost.”

The newly introduced measures, he said, should also serve as a starting point for discussions on family-friendly measures for female members of the corps.

The prime minister thanked the heads of the disciplined corps, ex-minister Manuel Mallia who pushed the law through parliament and minister Carmelo Abela for expediting the process that led to the law coming into force.