A top priority for the UHM next will be the unionisation of uniformed services, namely the police, soldiers, prison wardens and civil protection personnel.

Speaking during Christmas drinks for union section secretaries, shop stewards and delegates, UHM general secretary Gejtu Vella lamented that the union had written to the OPM about this seven months and all it got was an acknowledgement. This, it said, was unacceptable.

Another issue of concern that the union will be following will be people employed with government on self-employed contracts.

Mr Vella said that the union was privy of people who were employed as clerks by a government authority on a self-employed contract.

As a model employer, the government should live up to its own promise in the election campaign that it would address these issues.

Mr Vella also said that Malta Enterprise had ME had officially recognised the union.