An expression of interest that could lead to “unqualified” individuals taking on diplomatic roles, together with other unresolved issues, has led the Maltese Diplomatic Service to declare an industrial dispute, with the possibility of strike action in the coming days.
UHM – Voice of the Workers, which represents diplomatic service personnel, told The Malta Independent that industrial action could take place in the coming days in view of the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s “delaying tactics” over what it described as “very pressing issues.”
Former National Book Council chairman Mark Camilleri was first to reveal that the diplomatic corps is threatening to strike over an “irregular” call for applications that was issued exclusively for government employees.
Camilleri said that the tensions between the service and the Foreign Affairs Ministry over “widespread nepotism” took a turn for the worse after the appointment of Giovanni Buttigieg as Ambassador to Ireland. Buttigieg, Camilleri said, is not a diplomat but was previously and appointed as Malta’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He added that diplomats are annoyed over the appointment of non-diplomats as ambassadors.
A spokesperson for UHM – Voice of the Workers said that “following the unfolding of various multifaceted issues and events concerning the Maltese Diplomatic Service over the past months, the union has declared an industrial dispute and consequently nothing is being excluded.”
The issue stems from several unresolved issues pertaining the Diplomatic Service that the Ministry has not addressed adequately, despite being confronted on these issues numerous times by the UHM, the spokesperson said.
“In regard to the latest pressing issue, this revolves around an Expression of Interest issued by the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs which is in breach of the standard recruitment process in the diplomatic services for the simple reason that it circumvents the existing recruitment mechanism and opens a backdoor for unqualified persons to join the Ministry and eventually assuming diplomatic roles and functions essential to the state. This would in effect, severely undermine this same Service including in its role and duty to represent Malta both at home and abroad.”
UHM said it has been in communication with the Ministry over several issues over the past few months. “Specifically with regards to the latest Expression of Interest violations, although the UHM asked to hold talks since last week, the Ministry only came back with a reply on Tuesday with a meeting scheduled for the end of next week on February 11.”
The union said that “given the lack of urgency shown by the Ministry on very pressing issues that have been brought to its attention over the past months, we do not exclude taking industrial action in the coming days until the delaying tactics of the Ministry are replaced by concrete actions to address the disputes in question.”
In a blog on his website, Camilleri said the call for applications was suspended until talks with the UHM are concluded. This could not be confirmed with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which has not responded to questions sent by this newsroom on Monday.