Updated; Labour warns that people will be replaced if they are not qualified for top jobs

Updated - Adds PN reaction - People in government agencies who did not deserve and were not qualified to hold top posts would be replaced by suitably-qualified personnel in a new Labour Government, Opposition spokesperson on public administration, Helena Dalli, said today. This, she said, would happen by non-renewal of contracts and redeployment. Speaking at a press conference and often referring to the situation at the Malta Transport Authority, Mrs Dalli said Labour would continue to insist on merit in appointments, and the government should conduct an audit of the competence and qualifications of those holding top posts at the Transport Authority and other agencies. She said that a number of employees had been unjustly removed from their posts and left for weeks on end in offices doing nothing, in what amounted to psychological violence.  Replying to questions, she was unable to say how many such people were involved, but said that political allegiance was often a factor in their predicament. In contrast, she said, there were some employees who had been promoted twice in three months. Others were receiving responsibility allowances which they did not deserve. Such allowances...