The public entities section of the Union Haddiema Maghqudin yesterday stepped up industrial action at Maltapost, ordering all company employees to work to rule.

The issue is over staff shortages which, the union contends, is contributing to an inferior service and is placing undue pressure on employees.

Section secretary Jesmond Bonello said Maltapost workers were having to be flexible in order to give an efficient service to the public. But this was not being appreciated by the management, which was reducing the staff complement in every section of Maltapost.

Mr Bonello said such a situation was creating inconveniences for the public and was detrimental to the health of the workers concerned.

Meanwhile, letter boxes got fuller yesterday after the section ordered postmen not to collect postal articles from Monday.

Under the directives, employees are also not distributing bookings by wardens or performing extra beats and there is a ban on overtime on the distribution of packages and parcels.