Update 2 - Employers, GRTU disappointed by Industrial Tribunal appointments - Governemnt reacts

Updated - Adds ministry's reaction, GRTU statement - The Malta Employers’ Association expressed serious concern today that the majority of persons who have been appointed as chairpersons of the Industrial Tribunal come from the trade union camp, and have an employment history or close connections with one particular union. The Association in a statement said it was not questioning the credentials of the individual chairpersons, some of whom have served on the Industrial Tribunal for years without any issues. "However, it said, the manner in which they were selected and the overall composition creates a negative perception of the impartiality of the tribunal which could jeopardise its role as an objective body which takes decisions on cases both from the private and government sectors." The Association said it was also against the manner in which chairpersons were asked to offer their resignation, and that some of them were removed even though they had pending cases. These cases will now have to be heard from scratch, which results in a waste of time and resources, it said. It appealed to the government to reconsider these appointments and seek consensus with the social partners to...