The industrial tribunal should be led by a magistrate, the Confederation of Malta trade unions (CMTU) said today.

Addressing a press conference, UĦM CEO Josef Vella said the tribunal should be steered by a magistrate with legal expertise rather than appointing chairpersons on the basis of their industrial expertise.

An appeal court two weeks ago upheld a judgement last year ruling that the law establishing the industrial tribunal was unconstitutional as it did not guarantee independence and impartiality.

Mr Vella appealed for a long-term solution to the matter, dismissing the government’s proposal to extend the present chairpersons’ terms from three to four years as “half baked.”

He said a solution needs to be reached quickly as at present the tribunal is in a state of flux.

Mr Vella hit out at the government for blaming the problem on the previous government.

He said the Labour government has been in office for three years and needs to find a solution to the problem.

UĦM lawyer Ian Spiteri Bailey a court application has been filed asking for all cases being heard before the tribunal to be deferred.

He called it farcical that lawyers are expected to argue cases before the “unconstitutional” tribunal.

MAM president Martin Balzan explained that the CMTU is taking a common position on the matter.

Dr Balzan said the government’s proposals for the tribunal are “weak” and do not protect workers.

He said people chairing the tribunal need to have the necessary legal knowledge and expertise.

The government main proposal is merely to extend the present chairpersons’ tenure without addressing the main problem.

A meeting of the employment relations board and the unions is going to be held tomorrow to discuss the proposals.