The General Workers’ Union has recently signed a new collective agreement with the Arka Foundation of Ghajnsielem, the first of its kind in this entity and which covers the years 2022-2025.

With this agreement, the Foundation’s workers will see an improvement in conditions and even increases in wages among other benefits, the GWU said.

The Arka Foundation in Gozo offers residential services to people with disabilities. It manages three houses from which these services are provided which are Dar Arka, Dar il-Gublew tal-Hniena and Dar il-Madonna ta’ Pinu.

The agreement on behalf of the GWU was signed by the Secretary of the Government and Public Entities Kendrick Bondin, the Assistant Secretary Lawrence Bugeja and employee representative Andrea Cilia. Ark Director Fr Michael Galea signed for the Foundation.

In his comments after the signing of the collective agreement, Secretary Bondin noted the valuable work carried out by the Foundation’s employees for the benefit of the disabled while also doing other work even on a voluntary basis.

“Arka Foundation is very important for many families, for the help it gives so that everyone can continue with their lives and it provides very strong support. Therefore, we signed the first collective agreement with this entity in order to continue to recognise the duties that these workers perform and to strengthen their working conditions,” said Mr. Bondin.

He went on to say that the discussions in relation to this collective agreement, although they took their time, were very cordial, where both sides met together, learned from each other and finally an agreement was reached. “We have seen many things in order to give more structure to this Foundation, and more life.”

Director of the Arka Foundation, Fr Michael Galea said that this collective agreement is the fruit of years of discussions, which will ultimately benefit both the workers and the Foundation.

“Arka Foundation offers services for people with disabilities and it would be appropriate to invest in workers so that they can provide the best service and have the best working conditions and even an improvement in wages,” said Fr Galea.

Present for the signing of the collective agreement were also the Secretary General of the GWU Josef Bugeja, the President Victor Carachi and the Deputy Secretary General Kevin Camilleri.

Photo:  GWU

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