On Friday morning, in Castille, the best collective agreement yet for the Public Service workers was signed, from which 33,000 workers will benefit through substantial increases in wages and a strong improvement in conditions. This agreement gives increases apart from what has already been given to Public Service workers at a sectoral level.
This agreement will come into force from the beginning of next year until the year 2030 and €1.270 billion will be invested for it, as it covers wage increases, increases in new allowances and the introduction of allowances others. Through this agreement also, the employees who are not on the maximum of their respective scale will also be entitled to the increments. While the Government’s lowest scale was €500 above the minimum wage, now through this agreement it will be €1,200 above the minimum wage.
Prime Minister Robert Abela claimed how this agreement builds on the increases and strong investment in Public Service workers through sectoral agreements that have already been signed in the last months and years, among them with educators, nurses and midwives, the Police and Civil Protection workers.
“This is a Government that performs. Not that he agrees in words and speeches. But that he works to take the decisions that change for the better the quality of life of all Gowis and Maltese. Important work that was done to reach this agreement with the Public Service workers who were always there in the moment of trial,” repeated the Prime Minister, who once again pointed out how this investment agreement in workers is possible thanks to the strong economy that our country has.
Dr Abela claimed how the Public Service is a driving force for us to continue to offer all the services we provide as Government for the people and thus will be an important pawn in the realization of the Malta Vision 2050 where we want to see a leap in quality in so many crucial areas.
The Head of Public Service Tony Sultana said that the agreement that was signed today will not be replacing the sectoral agreements already signed but will be complementing them. “This is an agreement that will be introducing new concepts such as the introduction of the Long Service Bonus, as well as unprecedented increases in salaries, allowances and overtime payment rate,” said Sultana.
He added that this agreement is looking beyond the financial aspect with a practical emphasis on the balance of employees between work and personal life, mental health and sustainable initiatives. The Head of the Public Service concluded by saying that for the Public Service workers this is a historic moment to continue to improve, change and modernize the Public Service in order to provide an increasingly better and higher quality service for the good of our country.
Together with the Prime Minister and the Head of the Public Service, the Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister Joyce Cassar also attended, together with the management of the ten unions involved in this agreement.
