Ħal Far Riot: Security Staff Whose Cars Were Set On Fire Left Out Of Minister Meeting
The security staff at the Hal Far open centres whose cars were set ablaze by rioters have been left out of a meeting between Home Affairs Minister Michael Falzon and union heads to remedy the serious safety and security issues at the facility.
For some reason, just supporter workers were invited for tomorrow’s meeting, with security staff furious at the decision to omit them at this crucial juncture.
“We’re workers like them. Yesterday I was cornered by a group of men, thinking I was about to die. And now the Minister ignores us,” one female security member said.
“They throw rocks and canisters at us, and this is how we are treated,” she continued.
The security staff had marched with all other workers in open and closed centres to demand drastic changes to the state of the facilities, which they say are simply unable to ensure the safety of staff with the large number of residents.
At the start of the protest, the same security staff detailed the endless amount of abuse they receive, whether it’s physical or verbal.
“I’m a security officer and whenever I touch them, they tell me I’m not allowed and that authorities need to educate Maltese staff better,” she earlier said.
Last night, a riot at the detention centre saw three police cars set on fire, with an officer also slightly injured in the disturbance. It has been reported that at least five cars belonging to employees and a number of rooms were also set on fire.
Net News reported that the riot could have involved at least 1,000 people. Police were unable to confirm the total figure, but said there were “quite a few”.
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