The recent marginal 2.5% annual salary increase inclusive of COLA for public service employees, agreed between the Government and the unions, was publicly targeted by the employers’ representatives in various sections of the media. They also targeted the marginal increase in COLA for all employees.

Perhaps they may have missed the fact that public service salary increases and COLA are well below the national average wage rises.

This is because, according to The Times’ report (November 8), “salaries have risen by an average 4.5 per cent over the past 12 months as Malta’s growth recovery leaves its mark, the latest Salaries and Benefits Report for 2012/2013 released by research firm Misco has shown”.