Police may have to "stand up for their rights" - MPA
The Malta Police Association has warned the government that the police could be made to stand up for their rights unless a solution is found to the issue of overtime payment due.
Nearly two years ago, about 1,500 police officers filed a judicial protest against the Commissioner of Police for unpaid overtime allowances dating back to 1993.
About four months a second judicial protest was filed in which the police are claiming they still had not been paid or given time off in lieu for the overtime worked.
In a letter to the Office of the Prime Minister, lawyer Robert Abela, who represents the MPA, warned that the OPM's suggestion to the police to seek other alternatives will be considered well.
"And a unique precedent will be created in the country where the police would really have to stand up for their rights."
This, Dr Abela said, seemed to be where the replies the government was giving the MPA were leading, both on this issue as well as on others related to the force.
Dr Abela was replying to a letter from the OPM saying that there was no concrete request from officers, a claim the MPA is denying with the presentation of a schedule of compensation due, which it said it had already given the permanent secretary in the Justice Ministry.
The association said it had also completed an exercise quantifying how much each individual officer was due and it was willing to pass on many documents substantiating the individual request of each member as soon as these were requested.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Second group of migrants arrives
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
47 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Frank Borg
Oct 2nd 2011, 18:01
EHHH ghalhekk mela qed jaghlqu hafna hwienet - Ghax tant qed ibieghu u jaqalaw flus li issa ghandhom problema li ma jafux xse jaqbdu jaghmlu bihom il- flus li qed jaqalaw u allura jaghlqu ha jaghtu cans il- haddiehor, issa fhimt, Grazzi Giovann talli illuminajtni. Sewwa qed jghid Demartino - ippruvaw ipparkjaw fkull rokna ta Malta - u ssibu xi warden qisu lupu lest biex iwahhalilkhom; ippruvaw sibu haddiem biex jaghmlilkhom bicca xoghol, tkun xi tkun - ma ssibx, ghax is-suwed hadulhom xoghlom, ippruvaw ibbukjaw karozza gdida, ikollok tistenna- ghax tant hawn gid li l-importaturi ma jxommux stock, imma jahdmu bi flusek; morru go hwienet tal- white goods, ibieghu qishom tal- pastizzi qal - ma nafx jien, kollha jiccassaw narhom fil-hwienett, bit-trakkijiet hergin il- fridges tarax! Araw il- bejgh tas-sigaretti - mhux bilfors, biex trid trazzan in- nervi?? L-aqwa li poplu gawdut! Ghalhekk mela hadna euro zieda biss mela, ghax ma kellniex ghalfejn aktar, ara Gonzi miskin ma kienx qed jghaddi bil-paga, ta lilu nnifsu 500 zieda fil-Gimgha - U hallina nghixu Giovann!!!
Mr Edward Attard
Oct 2nd 2011, 11:52
'We are satisfied that a policeman has responsibilities and obligations which are peculiar to his calling and distinguish him from other public servants and municipal employees, and we consider the police entitled thereby to a special consideration in regard to their pay and pension' ----- Report of Lord Desborough on Police Salaries of Great Britain in 1919 and regarded as the Policeman's Charter. (Eddie Attard )
Charles J. Buttigieg
Oct 2nd 2011, 08:08
Civilians entering the work force at the age of 18 have to work until they reach the age of 61 (41 years service) to qualify for a pension) they have the right to be paid overtime and to join a trade union unless they are in an executive position.
Police officers do not have the right to join a trade union or to receive overtime; they do however qualify for a pension after 25 years service which means that when joining at 18 they will be out on pension at the age of 43. This also means that while civilians contributes a good chunk of their income towards NI for 41 years, police officers get away with only 25 years of contribution.
Maybe the difference in the conditions is justified due to the different nature of work or maybe it needs a general revision.
Gilbert Lia
Oct 2nd 2011, 10:36
Police and civilians pay the same amount in NI.It depends on the Salary each receives at the end of the month.While most civilians work on a 40 hour per week schedule,police officers work more hours per week(almost 50) and are paid less.
Marianna Galea Xuereb
Oct 2nd 2011, 15:34
Yes, they DO have the privilege of qualifying for a pension AFTER 25 years of service... but until then they still have to support themselves and their families through their salaries and pay all types of bills and loans etc just like the rest of us.
Martin Abela
Oct 2nd 2011, 07:50
there is one issue to be added, the police were always afraid because in June 1993, 23 police officers refused to work a day in day out shift that amounts to 84 hours weekly, for this they were suspended for 80 days and then after being liberated of all accusations, were than in the appeal put forward by the then commisioner George Grech found guilty of dishonouring the corp and fined LM 75 each.
That was a clear message to all to shut up or be made to shut up heavy handedly.
Joe Naudi
Oct 2nd 2011, 06:45
If the Police have worked the overtime they are entitled to be paid for it. Why has it taken so long, and nothing has been done yet. It must be slow Malta, over here, everything takes time and years for things to be resolved. Joe P Naudi
Anthony A. Mifsud
Oct 2nd 2011, 05:05
Why not, we all have the right, for a fair payment in service rendered
short and sweet,
What's holding back this payment? is there a crissis?
Tony
mark borg
Oct 2nd 2011, 10:04
There is no crissis Mr Mifsud, our Finanzi are fis Sod and we are run by a PAR IDEJN SODI,it is just currently he is solving LIbya's and the rest of Affric's problems.
Mr George Attard
Oct 1st 2011, 23:56
and to rub salt in the wounds, our officers are getting assaulted and the agressors are walking free on the streets!!
Mark Piscopo
Oct 1st 2011, 22:02
The police officers are doing an excellent job but what about their conditions of work. They have a family and they must be paid well for their duties. How can they be motivated when their rights are not respected. Honestly I hope that they will be paid for their overtime duties made because it will be very drastic for them to make ends meet with a scale 13 wage.
Fran Abela
Oct 2nd 2011, 09:09
Mr. Piscopo - are you telling me that if a person is not motivated, he has a right not to do his duty at his place of work ? I cannot understand the problem about conditioins of work. When I apply for a job the first thing I check is the conditions of work. If the conditions are not what I want, then I just do not take the job. Being a policeman is not an easy job at all and persons applying would do well to check out that they are capable of carrying out their duties even in adverse situations. If it is true that the police 'officers' have not yet been paid the overtime due, this is absolutely not right and should be remedied immediately. I am sure that government would be happy to increase substantially ALL workers' salaries because ultimately that would gain him more votes - or will it ??
Mr A Spiteri
Oct 1st 2011, 19:30
to fight for your rights...first you need to do your job!
Bjorn Schembri
Oct 1st 2011, 20:24
Hallina Sur Spiteri, il-pulizija qed jiggieldu ghal flus li hadmu ghalihom u xejn aktar. Mur gibek tahdem overtime u ma tithallasx tieghu, kemm toqmos. Jew int xi wiehed min dawk li ma ggerrahx il-pulizija ghax jaghmlu xogholhom (gieli tawk xi ticket).
john muscat
Oct 1st 2011, 20:55
For the same reasoning that commented about, how come the ministers got €500weekly rise?
Edward Zammit
Oct 1st 2011, 20:59
To do your job efficiently, first you have to be motivated, with what ? With your rights being respected, with being treated justly, and with respect (this also amounts to being paid your just due) !
Mr Aristide Galea
Oct 2nd 2011, 10:29
Mr. Spiteri , From you comment it seems that you do not have much respect for the police .Or maybe you are one that hate the police for some personal reasons .
Do you fight for your rights ? Do you do your job ? I'm not a policeman , but I have spent 32 years in the army and I can assure you of how the Authorities took advantage of the fact that these members were not ( and still are not ) organised in a union to take care of their conditions of work and their financial interest .
Remember that these are workers too and they have a family to support . Remember that these people sacrifice their family with long and irregular hours of work for the benefit of the people of this country . This counts also to the members of the Armed Forces of Malta and members of the Civil Protection .
Mr Spiteri , I hope that someday you begin to think and reflect before you make a comment of this kind .
Mr G Mangion
Oct 1st 2011, 19:17
This is not a porblem :)
If someting happens there is always .......................... ROBO COP !
D. A . Agius
Oct 1st 2011, 19:16
Issue will be sorted just before the next general election when the headless chickens will be running along trying to buy votes.
What I am confident though, is that those who are responsible for this disrespect will at some point in their life receive their just reward. How and when is the unknown, but 'll just hope for that.
Paul Saliba
Oct 1st 2011, 19:02
Night 9pm-5am,
2nd Watch 1pm-9pm,
1st Watch 5am-1pm,
Night 9pm-5am,
2nd watch 1pm-9pm
then OFF.
Yes that's how we worked for so many years, no wonder so many police officers ended up separated.
Fran Abela
Oct 2nd 2011, 09:11
When you apply for a job as a policeman you know the conditions of work. They are not the same as other normal jobs. If you do not like the conditions, then do not apply for this particular job.
silvio loporto
Oct 1st 2011, 18:52
This country is really full of surprises.
There is money for briges,leading from nowhere to nowhere.
There is money for a roofless opera House.
But there is no money to pay the overtime due to our police.
officers.
john muscat
Oct 1st 2011, 20:16
You forgot the €500 weekly rise to the ministers & Co
Mr Joseph Apap
Oct 1st 2011, 18:49
Dear Prime Minister
The work done by the Police Force should be recognised
and if the police have worked extra time for which they are due payment then the Government should seek a way and settle this before the next election.
every police officer have also a family and a vote
Alfred Grech
Oct 1st 2011, 18:42
Par idejn sodi!!! Dan serq u ngustizzja gravi.
Mr Victor Calleja
Oct 1st 2011, 18:19
Il qaghad qieghed jonqos, l-ekonomijja sejra tajjeb, hawn hafna flus fl'idejn, kullhadd kuntent, kullhadd ferhan,
imma ma ghandniex biex inhallsu l'overtime tal pulizijja.
Duhhan, duhhan u aktar duhhan
Giovann Demartino
Oct 1st 2011, 18:42
Jioena x'ghandu jew x'ma ghandux il-gvern ma nafx. Imma hares harsa madwarek u jkollok tammetti li hlief gid u lussu, ikel u xorb, dafar u xalar, tipjip....ma tistax ma tarahx dan. Mut ipprova kul barra, ordna karozza, ipprova qabbad bajjad, jew mastrudaxxa, jew mechanic, jew xi technician ghal magna ral-hasil, cooker, TV set, air conditioner....Kulhadd fgat bix-xoghol u flus ghal poplu in generali verament money no problem.
P Buħaġiar
Oct 1st 2011, 20:09
Kollox ibbażat fuq id-dejn dak li semmejt sur G.Demartino. Kulħadd midjun, għax tomorrow never comes. Dik il-kultura li daħħaln dal- Gvern għażżziż li għandna
Frank Borg
Oct 1st 2011, 23:10
@ Giov Demartino: hehehe, hihihi, hahahhaha, illallu kif fqajtni bid-dahk....... kulhadd fgat bix-xoghol u flus ghal poplu ingenerali money no problem, HAHAHAHAJ!!!! Money no problem ghall ministri imma: 500 euros zieda fil-gimgha, u l-poplu jittewweb!!!
Giovann Demartino
Oct 2nd 2011, 06:56
@ Messrs Borg u Buhagiar: Ftyit kliem bla sens ktibtu: Harsu madwarkom u araw b'ghajnejkom jekk hawx lussu li hadd ma jaf x'se jaqbad jaghmel. Dawn fatti li jarhom kulhadd. Ippruvaw ibbukkjaw mejda, ippruvaw ikru xi appartament ghal btala Ghawdex, ippruvaw ipparkjaw f'kull rokna ta' Malta, ippruvaw sibu haddiem, ikun xi jkun, biex jaghmlilkom bicca xoghol, ixtri karozza u trid tibbukkja u tistenna, morru go hanut tal-white goods jew elettronika u taraw il-bejgh qisu qed ibiegh il-pastizzi, morru go supermarket u araw it-trolleys hergin, morru go pet shop u araw l-ispejjez ghall-pets, araw il-bejgh ta' sigaretti.......lista ma tispicca qatt. Ghandu d-ejn il-gvern? Igawdih. L-AMERKA ma nafx kemm-il biljun ta' biljun ghandha...tistghageb ghax ghandu d-dejn GonziPn? Imma l-poplu gawdut.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Oct 2nd 2011, 07:34
Giovan,tant kullhadd qed sew li Gonzi u shabu tal Cabinet ikkalkulaw li huma ghandhom bzonn 500 Euro zieda fil gimgha biex jghixu hajja dicenti. Peress li ahna paxxuti iddecidew li kull ma kien jonqosna, biex nghixu hajja ahjar , kien biss 1.16 Euro fill gimgha.
Mr john vella
Oct 2nd 2011, 08:02
Giovann Demartino
All that you referred is nothing but the truth! One will be ridiculous or a clown if what is happening for all to see write otherwise. To add to your list a singer is coming for Christmas and tickets for his show is 100 euro, and less and people buy them.
BUT, there is a huge group like me a pensioner that after all my life working I not only do not go out but live from pension to pension. There are the unemployed, those on part time jobs and others.
I suggest let those who are having it all enjoy (if they all pay there dues and tax) but try to look at the other two thirds who are not doing well to all. Of course these we keep them in the cupboard and forgotten!
Mr Stephen Borg
Oct 2nd 2011, 09:43
Mr Demartino your comments are surreal and offend all those who are struggling to make ends meet. Please think twice before posting generalized comments which do not really reflect the current situation.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Oct 2nd 2011, 10:07
Giovan,mor qabel l-1971 u ipparaguna mal-lum.
Mr Henry Mifsud
Oct 2nd 2011, 12:00
@ Giovann Demartino :
"Harsu madwarkom u araw" .... dan x'kien qed tikwota mir- Rock Opera "Gensna"?
Skantajtni ghax il-partit tieghek l-anqas biss irid ilissen din il-kelma Maltija. Tant hu hekk li minn flok "Gnus Maghquda" juzaw il-kliem "Nazzjonijiet uniti" li l-anqas biss huma kliem il-Malti.
Giovann Demartino
Oct 2nd 2011, 12:37
Intqalu hafna paroli haw taht u sugu ftit li xejn. Li ghedt jien huwa fatt u jista' jarah kulhadd. L-eccezzjonijiet 'l hawn u 'l hinn jikkonfermaw dak li ktibt jien.
Frank Borg
Oct 2nd 2011, 18:43
@ G Demartino: EHHH ghalhekk mela qed jaghlqu hafna hwienet - Ghax tant qed ibieghu u jaqalaw flus li issa ghandhom problema li ma jafux xse jaqbdu jaghmlu bihom il- flus li qed jaqalaw u allura jaghlqu ha jaghtu cans il- haddiehor, issa fhimt, Grazzi Giovann talli illuminajtni. Sewwa qed jghid Demartino - ippruvaw ipparkjaw fkull rokna ta Malta - u ssibu xi warden qisu lupu lest biex iwahhalilkhom; ippruvaw sibu haddiem biex jaghmlilkhom bicca xoghol, tkun xi tkun - ma ssibx, ghax is-suwed hadulhom xoghlom, ippruvaw ibbukjaw karozza gdida, ikollok tistenna- ghax tant hawn gid li l-importaturi ma jxommux stock, imma jahdmu bi flusek; morru go hwienet tal- white goods, ibieghu qishom tal- pastizzi qal - ma nafx jien, kollha jiccassaw narhom fil-hwienett, bit-trakkijiet hergin il- fridges tarax! Araw il- bejgh tas-sigaretti - mhux bilfors, biex trid trazzan in- nervi?? L-aqwa li poplu gawdut! Ghalhekk mela hadna euro zieda biss mela, ghax ma kellniex ghalfejn aktar, ara Gonzi miskin ma kienx qed jghaddi bil-paga, ta lilu nnifsu 500 zieda fil-Gimgha - U hallina nghixu Giovann!!!
Giovann Demartino
Oct 2nd 2011, 20:17
Kemm kont tidher ahjar Frank Borg, kieku ma ktibt xejn!
Frank Borg
Oct 2nd 2011, 23:15
Ux veru Giovann?? Darbohra hekk naghmel ta la mogobtokx!
Giovann Demartino
Oct 3rd 2011, 11:40
U verament jaqbillek Frank ghax ghamilt massakru mill-Malti!
Frank Borg
Oct 3rd 2011, 22:46
Ara vera ma fadallekx argumenti xi ggib biex waqajt f'hekk Giovann, mela jekk nigu f'dan ahjar tohrog id-dizzjunarju mil-kexxun ta l-iskrivanija ghax int ma tantx ghamiltlu gieh il- malti lanqas ta, ghax jien certu kliem li ktibt int ma sibtux fil- vokabolarju tal- Malti: Jioena, dafar u xalar, Ftyit, d-ejn. Nahseb il- gid li hawn qed jghammixlek ghajnejk, jew tieghek biss mis-types sur Demartino??
Michael Seychell
Oct 1st 2011, 18:07
Without condoning or condemning any action that the Police Association may or may not take, it is my opinion that no employer could continue to ignore pending claims and aspirations of its empoloyees.
The government shouild take the bull by its horns and in the shortest possibile time meet the police Association and first and formost settle the issue of the Association being recognised as a Trade Union with all its rights - except the right to strike .
Once this iiue is settled the government as the emloyer of the police ought to start negotiating - not discussing - pending issues, including any back payments due for work carried out by the Police.
Michael Seychell ex Trade Unionist
Tal-Pieta
Frank Fenech
Oct 1st 2011, 19:51
Very well said, couldn't agree more, a real genuine trade unionist's comment.
Mr Johann Mifsud
Oct 1st 2011, 17:59
I agree with this request We need to be united and stand up for our rights. We want our many, we're not requesting any copensation or money for nothing we worked extra ours for 15 years and without being paid. The prime minister also promised a union within the first three months of this year, we're in October and still waiting for the Union.
A. Falzon
Oct 1st 2011, 17:55
No money for overtime for Police Officers but Euro 500 for the Minister and his friends yes.
Haluna
Gino Caruana
Oct 1st 2011, 18:42
gino caruana
YOU ARE RIGHT.....................I AGREE..........
Mr V Mercieca
Oct 1st 2011, 17:51
Dues since 1993??!!
I bet that there will be some wise guy advising the government to state that these payments are over 5 years and time barred at law.