The Assocjazzjoni Suldati Pensjonanti (ASP) – Association for retired Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM), was purposely set up on the 12 th November 2012, with the aim of improving the conditions of those ex-Servicemen who have completed their career in uniform under arms.

The Association said that “one must not forget that, apart from the soldier, there are also their spouses and families who make great sacrifices for the corp. It is important to note that the terms on which a Soldier is placed into retirement have not been reviewed for 42 years which means since the initial set up of the Armed Forces in Malta in 1970 after the release from the British Rule.”

“We deem it necessary that certain anomalies which have been left pending for all these years should be given immediate attention.” the ASP said.

Main points which the Retired Soldier Association ASP is considering to place in front of the competent authorities are:

That a soldier who has ended his military service and is entitled to a pension provided by the Treasury, is to be also entitled to two third of the increments in the rank that he retired in, the same as is received by a member of AFM while still serving.

That when an AFM pensioner is deceased, (even if he/she is still serving) the respective spouses should be provided with at least two thirds of the pension along with the pension provided by the Social Services until the demise of said spouse.

The provisional council said that it has already tried to approach the three main political parties, “but unfortunately only the PL allowed an audience with the council. Just this week we have had a meeting with Mr Joe Debono Grech who has accepted our invitation to come and explain the proposals set up by PL personally.”

The first thing that Joe Debono Grech stated during his short speech was that if he is to be Minister responsible for the AFM , “the ASP will be recognised by the government.” Another encouraging point made to the council was that “a soldier will be given the right to choose a union to represent him/her. Also any soldier who ends his military carreer before the 25 year service is up, the time served will be recognised. The new government promises that all will be done to investigate and solve wrong doings which have been made within AFM.”

The main points which were received with enthusiasm by those present was that a new government led by PL will make sure that soldier’s pensions will be adjusted annually with reference to point A further above.

Following Mr Debono Grech’s speech the council’s statute was presented and was duly explained to the members and amendments which were deemed necessary were made, with the help of GWU official Mr Lino Debono, the statute was approved unanimously by all members present

Another unanimous decision was the setting up of the Committee which will serve for the next three years including.

President: Joseph Cachia

Secretary: Anthony Grech

Cashier: Alexander Borg

Public Relations Officer: Gino Lombardi

Members: Mario Fabri and Francis Chricop

 

During the closing speech, the Association’s President Mr Joe Cachia encouraged the members to remain united and to gain more membership by enrolling their peers.

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