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About

The UHM is made up of the following bodies:

Governing Bodies

The National Conference (which is held every 5 years)
The Executive Board 

Advisory Bodies

The Group Committees (elected annually)
The sub-committees set up for specific tasks by any of the Governing Bodies

One of UHM’s principles, laid down in its Constitution is that it shall not affiliate to any political party and no member holding a statutory post with a political party shall be eligible to sit on the General Council and/or on the Executive Committee of any of the Sections of the Union. A Union Official or a Section’s Official cannot be involved in work of a political nature.

Our History

September 1966

MGCU

The Malta Government Clerical Union (MGCU) was founded with membership restricted to clerical employees in the Public Service.

Salvino Spiteri and Maurice Agius respectively were the Union’s first President and Secretary General.

September 1966
June 1973

MGEU

In the June 1973 General Conference, the Union changed its name to Malta Government Employees Union (MGEU) and membership was extended to all categories of workers in the Public Service, Parastatal Bodies and Public Corporations. Following this extension membership increased considerably and the Union continued to get stronger and to command more influence in the trade union field.

June 1973
1977

A wave of Industrial Unrest

Several arbitrary changes in the conditions of work of employees in the Public Sector. In the case of a large number of Public Service employees, vacation leave was reduced drastically. Public Holidays for both Public and Private Sectors employees were also cut down substantially. Workers on sick leave, in both the Public and Private Sectors, were enjoined to report their sickness at local Police Stations and policemen called at their homes, at any time of the day, to ascertain that those reporting sick actually stayed at home – a new version of house arrest.

1977
July 1978

UHM

The Union’s General Conference unanimously adopted a Resolution whereby the MGEU was to become the UNION HADDIEMA MAGHQUDIN which, besides widening the aims of the Union, also opened its doors to all workers irrespective of class, sector or grade. The new name of the Union – UNION HADDIEMA MAGHQUDIN (UHM), together with the necessary amendments to its Constitution, were registered with the Registrar of Trade Unions on 8 August 1978.

July 1978
September 1989

UHM Headquarters

In view of the increase in membership, the UHM could not function effectively from the premises that it occupied in Valletta, as these had become rather inadequate. So the General Council decided that a new General Headquarters should be found. The new offices, are still from where the Union still operates nowadays

September 1989
March 1996

Pensioners' Section

The Union decided once more to extend its membership, this time to include pensioners. This again resulted in a significant number of new members, who before were barred from joining the UHM.

March 1996
1998

Change in Leadership

The UHM changed leadership. Gejtu Vella was elected Secretary General and Gejtu Tanti President. 

1998
2004

European Union

The UHM started to put foward the idea for a European Union membership way before 2004. In 2004, with a referendum in sight the UHM started campining even more in favour of a membership with the European Union, which at the end resulted with Malta joining the E.U. 

2004
October 2008

Extension of Headquarters

The headquarters in Floriana were extended by a new wing. This was inaugurated by Secretary General Gejtu Vella.

October 2008
2011

Change in Leadership

The UHM changed leaderhsip. Josef Vella was elected Secretary General and Jesmond Bonello as President.

2011
2012

The Next Leap

UHM published a new labour market policy entitled JOBS+, which suggested amongst others free childcare centres, tapering of unemployment benefits and the introduction of the second pillar pension.

2012
2015

UHM Voice of the Workers

UHM had its conference and changed its statute to reflect modern times. The Union changed its name to UHM Voice of the Workers and opened up 3 new membership pillars namely inhouse unions, associations and cooperatives. The Secretary General and President roles became the CEO and Director respectively.

2015
2016

Standing up to corruption

From 2016, UHM Voice of the Workers was on the forefront against corruption. It attended national protests, voiced its concerns publicly and the CEO of UHM Voice of the Workers Josef Vella even gave speeches in a number of national protests that went on till 2019.

2016
2019

Headquarters restructuring

In 2019 the UHM Headquarters had its doors closed for major restructuring. 

2019
2021

Statute and Leadership

In July 2021 the statute was amended and the position of Deputy CEO was created. In December 2021 UHM had its National Congress in lieu of the General Conference and Mr Josef Vella was confirmed as CEO, Mr Mario Sacco was elected as the new Director and Mr Gian Paul Gauci was chosen as Deputy CEO. 

2021
September 2022

Headquarters Reopening

UHM reopened its Headquarters with renovated plans and structure. The new headquarters were inaugaurated by Prime Minister Dr Robert Abela together with Archisbishop of Malta, Monsignor Charles Jude Scicluna and CEO Mr Josef Vella

September 2022
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