Hundreds of Maltese Eurocrats are up in arms over the government's decision to support an EU Council proposal to slash next year's planned wage increase of 3.7 per cent by half due to the economic recession.
In the last meeting before the Christmas recess, the 27 EU Permanent Representatives unanimously agreed to back a proposal to cut the planned wage increase for next year to 1.85 per cent of the basic salary.
The main reason behind this is that certain member states, particularly the UK, Germany and the Netherlands, are feeling politically uncomfortable to approve such an increase to the already very well paid EU staff while pursuing recession driven cuts at home.
Originally, Malta was not taking any particular position over the matter, which saw hundreds of Eurocrats working at EU institutions in Brussels, agencies based in other member states, and Luxembourg strike for a few hours two weeks ago. However, following a compromise presented by the Swedish Presidency, Malta agreed with the other member states to support the proposal and slash the planned wage increase.
"Malta should never have agreed to this because the 2010 increase was based on an already established formula agreed between the Commission and the unions years ago," an angry Maltese fonctionnaire said.
"Malta was first sitting on the fence indicating it will abstain and then suddenly changed its position to support other member states and block our wage increase. This is unfair and definitely not in our interest. By applying the same logic, the government should slash the 2010 wage increase of Maltese civil servants already agreed in the collective agreement."
Contacted by The Times, a government spokesman defended its position saying this was an extraordinary measure requested by many member states in view of the prevailing economic situation.
He said that during talks on the issue Malta supported the Presidency's efforts to find a compromise while encouraging the Commission to be sensitive in its proposal.
However, the spokesman said Malta fully understood those member states that were objecting to the full wage increase of 3.7 per cent as originally planned.
Although according to EU rules member states have the final say over the EU Budget, the issue is likely to drag on as the Commission is expected to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice for a final decision.
According to unions representing EU staff, the ECJ will most probably rule in their favour as there had already been a similar issue in 1972, which found for the employees.
At the same time, thousands of Eurocrats are expected to hold spontaneous strikes in the first weeks of January to continue to pressure member states to reverse their decision.
It is estimated that the EU institutions employ about 500 Maltese citizens, mostly based either in Brussels or Luxembourg. The jobs of the majority of Maltese EU officials is language related and they work in the translation or interpretation Directorate General. However, there are also some Maltese in the higher echelons of the EU bureaucracy.
A junior Maltese EU fonctionnaire usually receives a net monthly salary of €4,500 and enjoys various other benefits, including longer vacation leave and medical insurance.