Housing Authority workers to receive pay rise

A collective agreement was signed today between the Housing Authority and the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin (UĦM) which will allow for a pay rise for the employees of the Authority.

The Authority said that the pay increase had been in the pipeline for the past three years but due to various disputes, mainly rooted in working conditions and financial disagreements, this had been delayed.

The increase by €600 to €1,000 every year will take effect in spite of the fact that the Authority's deficit is expected to rise in the coming year.

Coleiro Preca, who said that her primary concern was to look out for the needs of vulnerable persons, expressed her gratitude that the Authority and the (UĦM) came to an agreement with "full cooperation".

She said that the decision to give the employees a pay rise was symbolic but crucial at the same time.

"It was always our intention to increase the wages but sometimes this may take longer than expected," she said.

Meanwhile, UĦM President Jesmond Bonello said he was very satisfied with the outcome, describing it as a "win-win situation".