Soldiers may soon be able to join a union.

Members of disciplined forces, including the army and the police, will be granted the right to join a trade union, according to a White Paper to be released in the coming days.

Though they will not be allowed to take any form of industrial action, such as strikes, members of disciplined forces will have the right to take their case to the industrial tribunal and to elect a representative in their unions.

In line with a proposed Bill, existing police associations will have to be disbanded but can be converted into a trade union or any other legal entity such as a foundation.

The announcement was made by Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia who yesterday toured the facilities of the new Police Academy at Ta’ Kandja, in the limits of Siġġiewi.

He said the Cabinet agreed to implement the measure, which had been included in the Labour manifesto, during its meeting on Tuesday.

Dr Mallia told cadets that the academy would become their “natural home” as this would play a crucial role in their training.

He remarked that works on the complex took a huge step forward following the change in government, saying that the previous administration had only laid the foundation stone. Works on a new section intended to serve as a dormitory are also at an advanced stage.

He also thanked former deputy police commissioner John Cachia, who now heads the academy.

Dr Mallia was asked about a number of transfers in the police force reported yesterday in the media. One particular case involved a sergeant major who was detailed to Gozo and then back to Malta within hours and another officer in the same rank was given four transfers in a week.

He justified the transfers saying that they were dictated by exigencies of the force, refuting claims that they could have been the result of lack of coordination or misunderstanding.

Asked about his declaration of assets, Dr Mallia said he had not submitted it on time because he was abroad.

He pointed out that he had filed on time his declaration of assets as minister whereas the other, which he was bound to present as an MP, was submitted later.

“I can assure you that ministers are so busy that the last things you take care of are your own,” Dr Mallia said.