Almost 1,500 policemen including senior officers have filed a judicial protest against the Commissioner of Police protesting that they were not being compensated for overtime despite an agreement drawn up in June 1993 which said that "payment of overtime at 1.5 times the rate of pay will be made for any hours worked in excess of 46 hours per week when time off in lieu cannot be given."

They said that despite the fact that this clause was very clear, the Commissioner was not observing it, and they had, since June 1993 been working more than 46 hours per week without being paid overtime or being given time off in lieu.

They said all work deserved to be compensated and it was inconceivable and unacceptable that in a democratic country, policemen were being treated in this way, having been, for years, made to work for long hours without compensation.

They said that while they were part of a disciplined force, they were making it clear that they would no longer tolerate such a situation and if the situation was not immediately rectified through compensation for all hours they had worked in excess of 46 hours per week, they would take what action was permitted by law to underscore their rights.

The policemen also pointed out that in a report tot he Prime Minister, arbitrators had declared that they "strongly hold" that an official document stipulating the conditions of work (for example the 1993 document relating to the police force) is sacred and should be strictly adhered to. There is therefore no justification for ignoring the provisions of the 1993 document (which is still in force and valid) and adopting such a variety of timetables which go beyond the 46 hours per week stipulated in that document.

The protest was signed by Dr Robert Abela.