Updated at 7.10pm with Prime Minister's Parliamentary statement
Broadcasting Authority employees held a symbolic protest outside Parliament today, handing out copies of a letter pleading for the Prime Minister’s urgent help.
Leading the protest, Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin CEO Josef Vella said BA officials had had enough of chairwoman Tanya Borg Cardona and called for her immediate resignation.
Their protest follows strike action some days ago due to a breakdown in communications between employees and Ms Borg Cardona following what the employees called “unacceptable behaviour” by the chairwoman.
“The employees have been suffering humiliation since Ms Borg Cardona was appointed at the helm of the authority, and they cannot cope any longer with the situation. She has abused her position and is making the life of the employees miserable,” Mr Vella told journalists.
In the letter, the union called on the Prime Minister to call on Ms Borg Cardona to resign and appoint a substitute.
Prime Minister on BA situation
Speaking in Parliament this evening, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat reiterated that the Broadcasting Authority was a constitutional body and enjoyed total autonomy.
It did not take orders from the government and any decisions were subject to its board of directors.Dr Muscat was answering questions by Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil who asked what was the Prime Minister’s reaction to the letter signed by the BA employees asking for action against the Chair’s dealings against them.
Dr Muscat was answering questions by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil who asked what was the Prime Minister’s reaction to the letter signed by the BA employees asking for action against the chairwoman's dealings against them.
The Prime Minister said that notwithstanding, through the permanent secretary, the BA board was made conscious of the gravity of the situation and appealed to both sides to show goodwill and come to an agreement.
Pressed further, Dr Muscat said, “God forbid, if law court employees write a letter against the Chief Justice, the government were to move for his impeachment.”
He added that he abided by the law and was conscious of the separation of power.