A new collective agreement was signed between the Association of Local Councils and the the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudi.
The Ministry of National Heritage said that over 260 clerical workers within the Local and Regional Councils will benefit from an improvement in their employment conditions through the agreement, which was reached through the participation of the Local Government Division and the Industrial Relations Unit.
The Ministry said that the agreement is set to improve employment conditions, the financial package of employees and provide more opportunities for training and career growth. It said that apart from giving recognition to the work of the clerical workers, it also offers the opportunity of a career to those who wish to work in the sector of local government.
Minister for National Heritage Owen Bonnici said that apart from pay raises, workers will also be entitled to 10 days of cultural leave annually should they be chosen to represent Malta through cultural activities both locally and abroad.
He added that special leave will also be given to employees who represent Malta on the sporting level through schemes issued by SportMalta. Furthermore, new employees are set to benefit from an immediate indefinite contract, a better deputising allowance and an improved rate of performance bonus.