Valletta – In a landmark achievement for labour rights, the General Workers’ Union (GWU) has announced a major agreement that will ensure equal pay for approximately 14,000 workers employed by contractors in government entities. These workers will now receive wages equivalent to their counterparts in the Public Service for performing comparable work.
The agreement marks the effective implementation of the Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value Act, which came into force in January 2025. Speaking on the development, GWU Secretary General Josef Bugeja emphasized the significance of this step:
“Last year, the government passed legislation following discussions with social partners on equal pay for work of equal value. This agreement is now being implemented for workers providing services to the public administration and public entities.”
The new wage structure applies to employees with MQF Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications and will be in effect from this year until 2029. Workers will start with a minimum wage that increases based on years of service and actual hours worked. In addition to base pay, they will also receive allowances and other benefits.
The GWU reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and interests, stating that it will continue to monitor the implementation to ensure no worker is left behind.
“We are tackling each category individually, discussing the necessary elements to align them with government standards. We’ve started with carers, and will move on to security personnel, clerks, and cleaners. This will affect around 14,000 individuals, who will now be aligned with government workers in terms of conditions and comparability,” Bugeja added.
He described the agreement as a significant step toward justice and equality, particularly for workers in the care sector who have long faced wage disparities despite performing similar duties.
“This will benefit contractor-employed workers who will now enjoy conditions comparable to those in government. At the same time, as GWU, we are also working to ensure that even in the private sector, services and payments are aligned.”
The GWU stressed that it will remain vigilant to ensure full and fair implementation of the law across all affected sectors.
