The British High Commission has denied claims made by the General Workers' Union yesterday that it has breached employment law through selective redundancies.
In a statement it said the GWU's statement contained many factual errors and decisions the High Commission took in Malta were made with the full support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London.
"In line with the FCO's normal practice of reviewing the overseas workforce and the British government's ongoing efforts to deal with the current economic situation, workforce restructuring has been conducted at various High Commissions and Embassies across the world. Malta is no exception. Employees who have been affected by these changes have been offered, and accepted, full compensation payments."
The British High Commissioner, it said, took legal advice from a Maltese lawyer and acted in accordance with Maltese Law throughout.
The High Commission also refuted the allegation that it has challenged the Maltese judicial authorities.
"The High Commission confirms that the Department for Employment and Industrial Relations has taken no action against the High Commission for alleged breaches of law.
"In accordance with the collective agreement the British High Commission is entitled to withdraw recognition from the union when the membership falls below 50 per cent plus one.
"The GWU requested a verification exercise by the department with which the High Commission complied fully.
"The department's exercise, conducted without any parameters set by the High Commission, concluded that the GWU no longer had the requisite majority and the case was closed."
The High Commission said the British High Commissioner held constructive and productive discussions with the union during the collective agreement negotiations.
"Since signing the collective agreement with the GWU in 2011, the union has persistently made unreasonable demands which were impossible for the British High Commission to fulfil. The union has refused to compromise at any stage.
"In line with our principles the High Commission will not be drawn on individual cases, which remain a matter between employer and employee," it said.