Updated with ministry's explanation at 1.42pm - Senior army officers are to receive new allowances worth about €10,000, equivalent to a 25 per cent rise in their take-home pay.

This follows a behind-the-scenes agreement with the government, The Sunday Times of Malta is informed.

While details of the raft of allowances to be given to about 20 high-ranking officers have been kept under wraps, last Friday the Home Affairs Ministry announced a six-month arrangement for lower ranks: an additional €10 per hour for the extra hours worked during Malta’s EU presidency.

In a reply today to questions sent earlier in the week, the Ministry of Home Affairs said senior officers in the AFM had been brought to the same levels as directors and directors-general in the public service, such ending an anomaly that had existed for years.  

A closed-door meeting was held last week at the Armed Forces of Malta headquarters in Luqa during which lieutenant colonels, colonels and the Brigadier himself were told the government had decided to award them three new allowances.

This will result in an effective 20 to 25 per cent increase in their financial packages.

AFM Commander Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

The rise of approximately €10,000 will consist of a so-called ‘responsibility allowance’, as well as communications and transport allowances.

A senior army official who attended the meeting told The Sunday Times of Malta that “in all, a lieutenant colonel, who currently receives a salary of some €35,000, will see his take-home package increase to €44,000.”

When salaries are boosted, it is normally done across the board

“The same applies to colonels and the deputy commander. The package given to the Brigadier has not been communicated,” said another top army officer.

The raise is unprecedented, according to the sources. It has infuriated officers and soldiers in lower ranks, not only because it was kept “secret” from them but also because when salaries are boosted, it normally happens across the board, for all officers and men in proportion to their rank.

“It is not fair that we will be given just €10 for every extra hour we manage to work until next June [the end of the EU presidency], while those who were given three and four promotions within a few weeks after 2013 will be getting a €10,000 permanent increase,” an angry bombardier told this newspaper.

“Why didn’t [the ministry] tell us that the senior ranks were getting so many allowances while we may be getting €10 for a few extra hours until June? Who are they trying to kid?” another junior officer said.

A source within the army sees the government’s move to accommodate the top echelons of the AFM – almost all of them promoted since Labour came to power – as an effort to “buy their loyalty” as the election approaches.

“Normally, now is the time when the pressure increases for promotions to be given and transfers to be made to easy postings. This package is designed to soften any objections which some officers might have to transferring or promoting some of their unit’s members,” the officer believes.

This newspaper is also informed that the government may be planning a similar package of allowances for senior officers in the police force.

Since Labour came to power, all the top officers of the AFM have been replaced.

Its current Commander, Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi, was promoted from major to lieutenant colonel to colonel and then to deputy brigadier in the space of three weeks. Other high-ranking officers were given ‘accelerated’ promotions.

The 2013 post-election exercise has led to a high number of complaints filed with the Ombudsman claiming discrimination.

Manuel Mallia, who at the time was the minister responsible for the army, resisted calls from the Ombudsman to cooperate in the investigation. Following an unprecedented court case filed by the Ombudsman, the government was ordered to pass the requested information to him for investigation.

ivan.camilleri@timesofmalta.com