At the National Theatre of Malta, a new collective agreement has been signed between the Teatru Manoel and the General Workers’ Union. This agreement will further strengthen the working conditions of employees and the good industrial relations that already exist at the Teatru Manoel.
This agreement is for a period of five years with effect from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2028.
Minister Owen Bonnici explained how through this agreement, priority will be given to health in the workplace, as well as there will be increases in workers’ wages, where workers will be recognized for their abilities, skills and trades, through incentives and even specific bonuses. This while family friendly measures will continue to be strengthened.
Minister Bonnici went on to explain how, among other things, through this agreement, workers will be entitled to ten days of cultural leave per year, when they are selected to represent Malta in cultural activities both in our country and abroad. In addition, employees who will represent Malta in sporting activities will be granted special leave in accordance with the schemes issued by SportMalta.
He also explained the priority being given to mental health. “Increasingly aware of the importance of mental health, for the first time the Teatru Manoel will have a mental health officer who is trained to provide mental health first aid to employees,” said Dr Bonnici.
“This agreement will also lead to employees being granted special leave to accompany their spouses or partners abroad on a course paid for by the Government or on Government work,” concluded Minister Bonnici.
Present for this collective agreement were the Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici, the Permanent Secretary of the People and Standards Division within the Office of the Prime Minister Joyce Cassar, the Director General within the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, Ms Lorraine Nicole Vella, the General Secretary of the General Workers’ Union Mr Josef Bugeja, the Secretary within the General Workers’ Union Mr Kevin Abela, Mr Christopher Darmanin and Mr Mario Grixti from the Industrial Relations Unit of the People and Standards Division within the Office of the Prime Minister, the Chief Executive of the Teatru Manoel Edward Zammit as well as Mr Johann Zammit as the representative of the workers of the Teatru Manoel.
