Archive for April, 2009

PDFORRA continues to receive queries regarding the possibility of taxation being applied to the service gratuities of members of the Defence Forces who are retiring.  Information Circular 7/2009 was issued on this subject prior to the recent emergency budget.   PDFORRA is aware that the Government have established a Commission on Taxation to consider how [...]

Letter of Instruction 01/2004 outlines circumstances where enlisted personnel are promoted to acting rank. In the existing LOI there are 13 conditions where acting rank apply, vacant appointments in the establishment are not included in these conditions.   PDFORRA lodged a claim for a new condition No 14 for personnel to be promoted acting while [...]

PDFORRA, the association representing members of the Defence Forces, has declared the Budget ‘tough’ on low and middle income earners and says it will make surviving extremely difficult for families struggling on low pay – particularly where they have big mortgages.  Many PDFORRA members bought houses at boom-time prices artificially inflated by greedy developers and [...]

The Regional Liaison Officer will report to the General Secretary and his/her duties  will include:   Aiding and assisting district and regional committees with training; research and compilation of reports, referrals and conference motions; negotiations and the dissemination of information.   The position, which will be by secondment, is open to PDFORRA members only. As the [...]

The Department has changed its position on Border Allowance and now contends that it will only reach an agreement with PDFORRA that will result in it being removed from everyone who currently holds it and its replacement with Security Duty Allowance (SDA). PDFORRA will not agree to this position – but is prepared to reach [...]

The closing date for the receipt of Nomination papers is Friday 8th May 2009.   Please arrange to have all nominations in to the PDFORRA Office on or before the closing date.    

PDFORRA was informed by the Department of Defence that they had issued instructions to Soldiers Pay Section to reduce RDF Allowance by 25% in line with reductions in subsistence and travel as outlined in the  Department of Finance circular 07/2009 E/105/1/09.. PDFORRA stated that RDF Allowance was reviewed on the 26th July 2007 and the [...]

PDFORRA is surprised and disappointed that the government has decided to impose a ban on recruitment and promotion within the Defence Forces.  It has taken a decade to rebuild the Defence Forces into a modern efficient organisation from the ravages of previous cutbacks – and now all this effort and progress can be seriously downgraded. [...]

In the days leading up to the interim budget (7th April) the government has an opportunity to address the unjust and inequitable decision to impose a pension levy on members of the Defence.  This matter can now be addressed by means of a fair and equitable adjustment to the tax bands for all employees on [...]

The Government has announced a moratorium on promotions and recruitment to the Public Service, including the Defence Forces, with effect from 27th March 2009. This means that no Defence Forces post, however arising, mat be filled by recruitment, promotion, or by the payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher rank. [...]