A new collective agreement has been signed between the workers of the Manoel Theatre and the General Workers’ Union, the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government said on Monday.
The Ministry said that this agreement, which is set for a period of five years with effect from 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2028, will continue to strengthen the working conditions of the employees and the good industrial relations already existing in the Manoel Theatre.
Minister Owen Bonnici said that through this agreement, priority will be given to health at the workplace. He continued that there will be increases in workers’ wages, meaning that workers will be recognised for their abilities, skills, and trades through incentives and specific bonuses. He added that family-friendly measures will also continue to be strengthened.
Speaking further on the priority for health, the Minister said that with an increase in awareness of the importance of mental health, the Manoel Theatre will, for the first time, have a mental health officer trained to provide mental health aid to employees.
Bonnici stated that through this agreement, workers will be entitled to ten days of cultural leave per year when they are selected to represent Malta in cultural activities both locally and abroad. He added that employees who will represent Malta in sporting activities will also be given special leave according to the schemes issued by SportMalta. He continued that employees will also be given special leave to accompany their partners abroad on a course paid for by the government, or on government work.
Present for the signing of the collective agreement alongside the Minister were the Permanent Secretary of the People and Standards Division Joyce Cassar, the Director General within the Ministry for National Heritage, Arts, and Local Government Lorraine Nicole Vella, the Secretary General of the GWU Josef Bugeja, the Secretary within the GWU Kevin Abela, along with Christopher Darmanin and Mario Grixti from the Industrial Relations Unit. The CEO of the Manoel Theatre, Edward Zammit, was also present along with Johann Zammit who represented the workers of the theatre.