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 could amount to €630 per month.

A Labour government would work to rectify injustices, she said, through the redeployment of people according to their qualifications. Those who held posts for which they were not qualified may not have their contracts renewed. 

She also said that a new watchdog system will be created to monitor new appointments.

PN REACTION

In a statement, the Nationalist Party said Mrs Dalli had revealed what Joseph Muscat was planning should he become prime minister.

It was clear that if he was in power, Dr Muscat would ‘make heads roll’ but he was keeping silent about his plans.

The PN noted that when Mrs Dalli was a parliamentary secretary in the Sant government, that government was found guilty of political discrimination against Angela Callus, who in 1998 was not reappointed Director of  the Department for Women’s Equality. Renee’ Laiviera, who used to advise the Labour Party on women’s rights, was appointed instead.

The PN noted that Mrs Dalli’s declaration followed on that by Gino Cauchi who had said that the PL was speaking to people who wished to work at PBS when Labour was in government.

This was confirmation that the PL had not changed, the PN said.

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