Two other measures have been implemented that will further improve the rights and conditions of the workers of the Disciplined Bodies. One of the measures was promised in the electoral manifesto and even in the 2024 budget and the other measure was proposed by the workers’ unions.
The first measure is addressed to service pensioners. Until now they had their pension frozen and they did not get cost of living increases. From this year these pensioners will start getting an additional bonus for the cost of living equivalent to the full increase in the cost of living, unless they receive the COLA from elsewhere. This bonus will be given every 6 months, unless the person starts working or receives a pension or other social security benefit. In this case the bonus is still paid at the rate that has been accumulated until then.
The second measure builds on incentives introduced in the last few months that incentivize workers to extend their service whether it is through the strengthening of the service pension by 23% for those who extend their service up to 29 years service, or through an allowance for those who extend the service by another four years. The measure is intended to give protection to the service pension of the workers at the moment they complete 25 years of meritorious service and choose to continue giving more years of service.
Details about these measures were given in a news conference by the Minister for the Interior, Security and Work Byron Camilleri and the Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon.
Minister Camilleri said that these measures are part of a chain of measures through which the conditions and the rights of the workers of the Disciplined Bodies have been continuously strengthened. “This is the most government in history that has worked to give conditions and rights to the workers of the Disciplined Bodies. Once again we are showing that our heart beats with the workers and we are continuing to invest in those who work for our security”, said Minister Camilleri.
With regard to the protection of the service on the 25th anniversary of service, Minister Camilleri said that for this purpose legal notices were published in the last few days to address this measure. He said that after many years of service for the country and its people, it is appropriate that a meritorious service is guaranteed for the workers in the disciplined bodies.
Minister Michael Falzon said that 500 people will benefit from this specific measure, which includes those who are currently retired from any disciplined body and neither work nor receive any pension or security benefit social, and who will now begin to receive the full increase in the cost of living.
“They will start receiving this benefit in the form of a bonus that is paid every 6 months and that accumulates every year with every increase in the cost of living given by the Government. The first payment of this bonus covering the first 6 months of this year will be made in June, with an investment of €150,000 and thus by the end of the year the investment will exceed €300,000,” stated Minister Michael Falzon.
