The Union of Professional Educators (UPE) has officially filed a trade dispute challenging the Sectoral Agreement signed on 15th July, between the Government of Malta and the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT).
According to the UPE, a detailed examination of the Agreement reveals several conflicts with established regulations and fundamental rights, sparking serious concerns over its impact on union representation and workers’ rights. The UPE’s primary objection centers on restrictive clauses within the Agreement that limit union activities in workplaces, which, they argue, undermines fair representation and curtails the effectiveness of alternative unions like theirs.
Specifically, the UPE contends these clauses violate Article 6.5 of the Public Service Management Code (PSMC). The PSMC, which delineates rights and responsibilities for public service employees, mandates reasonable facilities for union representatives to carry out their duties–a standard that the UPE claims is not being upheld under the current terms of the Agreement.
There is also criticism regarding the circumstances under which the Agreement was signed. The PSMC, which was most recently updated in January 2024, is meant to govern such agreements, yet the UPE asserts the government neglected its own code of conduct during negotiations. Furthermore, repeated correspondence from the UPE to key government officials, including the Principal Permanent Secretary Mr. Tony Sultana and Education Minister Hon. Clifton Grima, has gone unanswered, adding to concerns over a lack of transparency and accountability in handling educators’ rights and grievances.
Notably, the opposition party’s silence on the issue has raised further questions. The UPE expressed disappointment over the absence of support from opposition leaders, questioning their commitment to protecting workers’ rights if they aim to present themselves as a viable alternative government.
The UPE’s concerns also extend beyond regulatory violations, alleging that the Agreement infringes on constitutional rights, including Article 42 of Malta’s Constitution, which safeguards the right to peaceful assembly and association, and Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the freedom to join and participate in unions.
In response to these alleged infringements, the UPE announced plans to begin enforcing directives on Friday, 25th October to advocate for fair representation and adherence to legal standards. This escalating dispute highlights growing discontent over government handling of worker rights, casting doubt on its commitment to upholding its self-declared socialist values.
Newsroom
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