The Malta Police Association yesterday filed a judicial letter accusing the Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister of procrastinating over the introduction of legislation that would allow members of the force to join a union.
The government’s behaviour was denying officers this basic right and although the association had raised this issue a number of times over a long period, nothing had been done, the association complained. Its committee noted there were currently 43 unions in Europe representing police corps and which formed part of the European Police Trade Unions or the European Confederation of Police. Despite both the government and the Opposition declaring that the police should enjoy the right to be part of a union, the Prime Minister and the Justice and Home Affairs Minister were procrastinating when it came to introducing the necessary legislation. The association also noted that the Lisbon Treaty, ratified by Malta, safeguarded an individual’s rights and freedoms and specified that everyone had the right of association at all levels, including in a union.
The judicial letter was signed by lawyer Robert Abela.