The disability watchdog is investigating claims that a person who works at the St Paul’s Bay local council was on the verge of circulating a petition to fire three disabled workers.

“We are looking into the matter and do not exclude opening a court case, although we would rather reach an amicable agreement. But we have to make it clear that this is unacceptable,” said Oliver Scicluna, the chairman of the National Commission Persons with Disability (FNPD).

The issue was flagged yesterday by newspaper l-Orizzont, which reported that a person who worked at the council wanted to circulate a petition to sack three disabled workers – two women and a man with intellectual disabilities. The petition was never circulated and the reason behind the initiative to sack them is not yet known.

The three workers are based at the council through an employment scheme. They help out with various jobs both at the local council and at the day centre located in the same block.

Their duties include helping in the day centre’s kitchen and helping sort out paperwork within the council. Contacted yesterday, St Paul’s Bay mayor Ray Tabone confirmed he was looking into the incident that allegedly happened three weeks ago when he was abroad and the executive secretary on leave.

The incident upset one of the disabled workers, who initially did not want to return to work but the situation calmed down and all three were back at work. Mr Tabone said he asked the executive secretary to collect the statements of various people who worked at the council to better understand what had happened.

He said once the statements were drawn up, the council would decide what action to take and whether to refer the matter to the Department of Local Councils. He added the local council would be discussing various matters during last night’s council meeting, when they were also meant to determine whether to accept the KNPD’s offer to provide training to staff. After the meeting the commission will decide what to do and, if necessary, will make use of its powers to take the matter to court.

The FNPD, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Persons with Disability and the national focal point for disability yesterday issued a joint statement condemning the petition.