New pay packets for the AFM announced

Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela yesterday announced pay rises for all ranks of the Armed Forces of Malta.

He said that as from January 1, all soldiers will start being paid extra for service on public holidays, instead of getting time off in lieu.

Gunners with more than four years of service will, over a period of three years, see their salary increase by Lm615 to a maximum of Lm4,971.

Over three years, Lance Bombardiers will take an extra Lm666 for a maximum pay of Lm5,936. Bombardiers will see their salary jump by Lm721 to a maximum of Lm6,307.

Sergeants will get an extra Lm393 to Lm6,700, while staff sergeants will enjoy an addition Lm440 to Lm6,700.

Warrant Officer II and 2nd lieutenants' pay will rise by Lm483 to Lm7,623 and Warrant Officer 1 and lieutenants will see Lm521 more to Lm8,144.

The other increases are: captain, Lm483 to Lm8,713; major, Lm659 to Lm9,372, lieutenant colonel, Lm1,326 to Lm11,359 and colonel and deputy commander, Lm1,162 to Lm12,521.

The Commander will get an allowance of Lm750.

He made the announcement during the budget debate in Parliament.

He said the new salary structure will come into force orce on January 1 and a group of soldiers who would have to retire on January 8, having turned 55, would therefore also benefit from it in their pensions.

In his speech Notary Abela praised the AFM for its work, often under trying circumstances especially owing to the influx of illegal migrants.

He also underlined the work being done by the Defence Directorate within the Office of the Prime Minister.

He said that over the past four years, thanks to specialised overseas training, the AFM had become more specialised enticing people of high quality to make the army their profession of choice.

The AFM was giving the country sterling service, including the unusual chore of guarding the importation of the country's new currency. Other tasks had included housing the illegal migrants and search and rescue.

Notary Abela, like Nationalist MP Mario de Marco, underlined the usefulness of the Frontex Mediterranean patrols to reduce illegal immigrantion.

He also highlighted the AFM's participation in the Terra Firma and Canale exercises and the AFM's participation in Operation Poseidon, a Frontex anti migration operation in Greece. Over the coming months elements of the AFM will also be training with the Italian alpini troops. New equipment for the AFM included its first ever brand new helicopter, due to be delivered next year, and a fast intervention boat, commissioned some months ago.

A major exercise was in the pipeline for promotions to replace officers who were expected to retire over the next few months.

Nationalist MP Mario de Marco said the force had continued to improve its capability to protect Malta's territorial integrity on land, sea and air.

In view of illegal immigration, there was a particular focus on search and rescue operations and maritime law enforcement.

The two phases of Operation Nautilus, held between June-July and September-October this year under the aegis of Frontex, the EU border control agency, had served to deter migrant crossings and had also saved lives. The AFM had played an important role in the operation, contributing assets and helping in the coordination of operations.

At the same time, elements from C Company of 1st Regiment had taken part in Frontex Operation Poseidon in the Agean, gaining further valuable experience on joint operations with other forces.

Dr de Marco said illegal immigration was continuing to test the resources and logistical capabilities of the AFM, which was also responsible for the housing of most of the migrants in its barracks. Perhaps the time had come for this role to be assumed by another organisation which had a more humanitarian purpose.

He said establishment at the AFM was still below the required levels. Recruitment of both officer cadets and gunners was underway and he hoped this would go some way to counter the retirement of officers and men early next year because they had turned 55.

The government, he said, had kept its promise to review the salary package of the members of the AFM and significant improvements would come into force next year.

The promotions were being made at more reasonable intervals.

Importantly, all officers and many NCOs were benefiting from the training opportunities provided by countries such as the US, the UK, Italy, Germany, France, and Belgium.

Exercises Terra Ferma and Canale had now become a regular feature of the AFM's training programme, enabling the members of the AFM to hone their skills in maritime patrol and rescue operations, maritime law enforcement and infantry operations.

A platoon from C Company was also training on humanitarian operations with an Italian regiment.

Dr de Marco observed that the AFM had signed an agreement with China on the acquisiion of ammunition and spare parts as a follow-up to the donation of firearms by China in 2003. The Force was expected to take delivery of a brand new helicopter, partly financed by the US, next year. Making some suggestions, the Nationalist MP said the AFM should consider the creation of a system to prepare soldiers about to retire so they could find it easier to reintegrate in civilian life.

There was a need for a system where civilians recognised military qualifications, making it easier for former soldiers to find new jobs after retirement.

The government should also consider a system where financial planning for the AFM was more long-term, covering up to 15 years, enabling the service to better set out its procurement and training plans.

One should also consider whether the AFM needed further reorganisation. Should Malta have a smaller, more specialised force? Should the Air Wing and the Maritime Squadron be integrated into a Coast Guard and should Malta have a para-military organisation similar to the Carabinieri?

Joe Debono Grech, opposition spokesman on the AFM, said the pay rise for the AFM would come into force a year after it was promised, and no details, he said, had been given yet.

Mr Debono Grech said the Nationalist government had postponed the cut-off date for the retirement of soldiers aged 55 by 10 years but all of a sudden the retirement was put forward by a year. He disagreed with the government's decision that soldiers who had turned 55 but not attained 25 years of service were being transferred to the Detention Service, where they would continue to serve until retirement age. This transfer, he said, would deny these soldiers promotion opportunities. Labour saw no reason for these soldiers not to continue to serve in the AFM and would ensure this was what would happen upon taking government.

Mr Debono Grech said the government should not rush with AFM senior officer promotions on the eve of an election and he was promising that a Labour government would review all such decisions. He said there were injustices in the recent soldier promotions, with valid persons passed over on flimsy pretexts, such as having taken a day of sick leave. This had continued to demoralise the army. Hundreds had taken their case to the Ombudsman but his recommendations had not been heeded.

He said a Labour government would work to ensure that the AFM was given the equipment it need, particularly the Air Wing, which was making do with old aircraft.

Referring to C (Special Duties) Company, Mr Debono Grech said it made no sense that its members were obliged to serve there throughout their career.

The new government would also review the work of the Italian Military Mission to assure itself that its work was for Malta's benefit.

Mr Debono Grech said the plight of soldiers guarding illegal immigrants was not being recognised despite the health hazards and dangers they faced. There were cases were four soldiers were asked to guard 400 migrants.

Turning to Malta International Airport Mr Debono Grech said that although the government said this was a private company where the government could not interfere, one formed a different impression when he saw who the company was employing. He then read a list of recently engaged employees, explaining who each was related to. While the MIA had a majority private shareholding, a Labour government was not prepare to tolerate such things. One only had to remember that MIA was running the airport, which was Malta's gateway, Mr Debono Grech said.

He said Malta Air Traffic Service was controlled by blue eyed boys and the Met Office was now in the hands of three foreigners, as if Maltese could not do that work.

He also expressed concern over airport security saying efficiency should be improved.

Mr Debono Grech said a Labour government would rectify all injustices done with soldiers and other employees, whatever their political colour.