MALTA | Case study: claims of unfair promotion practices in the armed forces of Malta

A Major in the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) lodged a complaint after he was not promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel despite meeting the eligibility criteria. He claimed the selection process for the promotion was flawed and that he suffered an injustice as a result.

The Investigation

The investigation by the Parliamentary Ombudsman of Malta examined the selection process used for promotions from Major to Lieutenant Colonel within the AFM. The promotion process involved candidates submitting an expression of interest, followed by interviews. The selection was based on the Senior Ranks Appointments Advisory Committee (SRAAC) report, which recommended the top candidates to the Minister for approval. The complainant, who was not among the top-ranked candidates, sought information on his ranking and interview performance but was dissatisfied with the responses and explanations provided by the Commander of the AFM.

Facts and Findings

• The promotion process for 2016 deviated from the more objective processes used in 2011, where written and oral examinations were part of the selection criteria. The 2016 process relied solely on interviews, with no written tests or clear records of interview questions, leading to a less transparent and more subjective evaluation.
• The SRAAC assessed candidates based on seniority, efficiency, and the ability to fill a vacancy. However, there was no clear documentation of how these criteria were applied or how scores were awarded.
• The Ombudsman found that the elimination of written assessments and the lack of a standardised interview process in 2016 increased subjectivity and undermined the fairness of the promotion process.

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Source: Parliamentary Ombudsman, Malta