Lm3,000 compensation for unjust transfers

The Tribunal for the Investigation of Injustices yesterday recommended that Joseph Buttigieg be awarded Lm3,000 in compensation after it resulted that he had suffered an injustice.

Buttigieg filed an application against the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office.

He claimed that in May and June 1987 he had suffered an injustice as he had been given a number of vindictive transfers.

Buttigieg added that he had lost his seniority for no valid reason except political motives.

Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco heard that Buttigieg had joined the public service in 1959 as a Customs officer. Between 1972 and 1987 he had worked in the ministries for foreign affairs and health and was also head of protocol.

However, with the change in administration in 1987, for no valid reason, Buttigieg was transferred to the Health Department where, after only one day at work, he was informed that he was to be transferred to the Posts Department.

After 36 hours, Buttigieg was transferred to the Civil Aviation Department where he spent one week before being instructed to go home until he was contacted.

When four days had elapsed, he was summoned by the Establishments Secretary who told him that he would be working from Castille.

He was then transferred to the Water Department as accounting officer, which was his fifth transfer in five weeks.

Buttigieg claimed that he had been traumatised by this and had been demoralised.

In yesterday's decision, the tribunal noted that it resulted that Buttigieg had been a dedicated and capable employee and that there were no complaints against him.

The transfers he had been given were therefore unjust.

The tribunal ruled that it could not uphold Buttigieg's complaint regarding loss of seniority as this complaint ought to have been addressed against the Prime Minister.

In conclusion, the tribunal recommended that Buttigieg be awarded Lm3,000 in compensation.