Police union members voted to approve a new collective agreement for officers last night, after months of negotiations. 

The deal, which is valid for five years will see officers enjoying increases in wages and allowances, among other benefits. 

Members of the Police Officers Union and the Malta Police Union, who worked together to bargain for the agreement, voted to approve the new conditions in a meeting on Monday evening. 

Police officers got their first-ever collective agreement in 2018, which saw the police’s work week decrease from 46 hours to 40 hours and saw constables and police inspectors bumped up a scale in the public sector pay grid. 

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said that the months-long negotiations have led to better conditions and rights for police officers and will encourage more young people to take up the profession. 

Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed the news and said that the Government is committed to investing in the safety of communities, to which human resources are fundamental. 

“We will be giving better pay and conditions. The entire community will benefit from this agreement,” Abela said.