Soldiers who did extra duty during last November’s migration and Commonwealth summits were already compensated for their sterling work, a National Security Ministry spokeswoman said yesterday.

Army officers have complained that a €110 financial allowance given to them by the government for their extra input was inadequate. The token was listed in their November payslip for services rendered in connection with CHOGM.

In view of this, the soldiers’ union is arguing that, as a minimum, officers should receive an additional sum for the Valletta Migration Summit held a fortnight before.

The issue escalated when the Armed Forces Union, which is affiliated to the General Workers’ Union, last week wrote to the Prime Minister requesting a meeting in an attempt to find an “adequate and rational solution”.

Reacting to the soldiers’ request, the ministry’s spokeswoman noted that, unlike the police, soldiers were not entitled to overtime. Instead, they had already been notified on the amount of time off in lieu they would receive depending on the extra hours made, she added. When working on Sundays, however, soldiers were entitled for financial remuneration at an approved applicable rate, the ministry spokeswoman said.

She pointed out that, from this year, all AFM personnel had benefitted from an increase of €347.50 in their allowance which, she noted, was the first revision upwards in about 35 years.

In addition, the monthly income of all AFM members last year was augmented by an additional allowance, this time depending on their level of qualifications, she said.

“However, the ministry will keep listening to genuine concerns put forward by the soldiers’ union and looks forward to keep working and collaborating with them in the best interest of all army members,” she added.

When contacted, GWU deputy general secretary Kevin Camilleri noted that time in lieu and Sunday remuneration were standard measures, applicable throughout the year.

While welcoming the increase in the yearly allowance and the extra payment reflecting any additional qualifications, Mr Camilleri said the points raised by the ministry had nothing to do with the €110 token.

“Our complaint was and is purely about the amount given as a gratitude token for two world class events,” he said.