Dismissed storekeeper awarded Lm700

A storekeeper was awarded Lm700 in damages after the Industrial Tribunal ruled he had been unfairly dismissed from work.

Chaired by Martin Fenech, the tribunal heard how Ramon Zerafa had been working as a storekeeper with Kemimport Ltd for seven years.

One day, he had an argument with one of the company directors, Pierre Fava.

Mr Zerafa claimed he was sacked following the argument and no warnings had been issued against him.

But the company argued that Mr Zerafa had left out of his own free will because he did not turn up for work the day following the argument.

On evaluating the matter, the tribunal said that Mr Zerafa's version was more likely. The tribunal ruled this was a case of unfair dismissal and ordered the company to pay Lm700 to Mr Zerafa.

Lawyer Owen Bonnici appeared for Mr Zerafa while lawyer Reginald Fava represented the company.