Industrial action by probation officers has dragged into its third month, with the government saying it is “very disappointed by the stubbornness” of the union representing them.

Probation officers are only handling a handful of cases as the industrial action ordered in November remains in place. The UĦM Voice of the Workers says the government has yet to bring “acceptable proposals” to the table in talks on a sectoral agreement.

A Home Affairs Ministry spokeswoman said the government was “very disappointed” by the union’s “stubbornness”. She added that a new agreement had been agreed to “by both parties” and would result in an improved financial package and better conditions for workers.

It was claimed that the current issue erupted following a letter meant “to accommodate one employee who does not form part of the probation and parole class”. 

However, the ministry had “offered an alternative route to improve the grade and salary of this employee” in line with public service promotion parameters, the spokeswoman continued.

Though a union spokesman had told the Times of Malta it had yet to be provided with a reply to its claims, the government spokeswoman said various attempts to set up an informal meeting with UĦM officials had been rejected.

Since the action was called, about 24 probation officers have only been dealing with 15 cases daily, as opposed to about 60 cases a day. Remaining case files are being passed on to the department’s director.

Probation officers are tasked with supervising offenders who are not handed an effective prison sentence but are instead put on probation for up to three years. Probation officers could also shadow offenders serving suspended sentences for up to four years and must draft reports for those requesting parole, a process also impacted by the action in force.

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