Unjust treatment leads to 'mental torture'

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Works Department have been told to pay damages to the tune of Lm2,000 to a former employee after a tribunal ruled he had been treated badly although he was hardworking and efficient.

The Tribunal for the Investigation of Injustices, chaired by Magistrate Michael Mallia, ruled there was no doubt that Joseph Meli had been unjustly treated.

The tribunal heard how in 1989 Mr Meli applied for the job of casual data entry operator at the Water Works and was accepted and paid minimum wage. Two months later he was transferred to the Works Department and also did some work at Mepa, then known as the Planning Authority.

Evidence showed that Mr Meli was efficient and a hard worker and that he went beyond his responsibility.

When he started working overtime he was not paid the normal overtime rate like everyone else. Then, in 1994, a call for applications for a support services officer was issued but he was not given the post due to his political beliefs.

Two years later Mr Meli resigned on the grounds of "mental torture", the tribunal said.