The Union of Professional Educators (UPE) has little to say regarding this year’s budget.
All is irrelevant when:
The same government, a few months ago, signed an agreement containing specific clauses that hinder freedom of association, contradicting the Ombudsman’s decision, notably following a 2021 opinion from the Honourable Former Chief Justice and ECHR Judge, Vincent A. De Gaetano. The Chief Justice endorsed the UPE’s complaints regarding systemic barriers that prevent union representatives from exercising their rights. This agreement also contravenes the Constitution of Malta, particularly Article 42, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association, as well as the European Convention on Human Rights, specifically Article 11.
This is the same government that has allowed a circular to be issued by the Ministry of Education, muzzling educators from speaking freely in public—a circular that directly violates Article 41 of the Constitution of Malta and contravenes Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The government has adopted a stance that blinds people with petty, irrelevant pence and flamboyant spectacles of inconsequential proposals to distract Maltese citizens, much like the Roman Empire did with their circuses and gladiatorial festivities.
The UPE is not impressed.
Educators are not impressed.
The people are not impressed.
Everyone will remember these dark moments when the time for reckoning arrives.