The industrial tribunal should be presided by a magistrate to remove any concerns over its impartiality, the shadow minter for education and employment, Therese Comodini Cachia said today.

Addressing a press conference, Dr Comodini Cachia said magistrates would remove any "stain" the tribunal may have.

"To use the appropriate expression, we don't want anyone thinking there is a carrot being dangled before anyone on this important tribunal," she said.

The appointment of magistrates would also ensure security of tenure and that no political involvement occurs, she said.

The industrial tribunal is tasked mainly with considering claims of unfair dismissal.

Dr Comodini Cachia said the government should no longer keep a "finger in the pie" when it comes to who is appointed to preside over the tribunal, as well as those who provide assistance to the tribunal.

Parties involved should have the right to appeal and proceedings should not be lengthened through these changes, she added.

Opposition industrial relations spokesman Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici said the Opposition had met with the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development to discuss these changes. He said that while the government had already proposed a number of amendments to the existing legal framework, the social partners had not been consulted.

Debate on the composition of the tribunal was sparked by a Constitutional Court decision that the composition of the tribunal is unconstitutional. The government is due to present new legislation this week.

The Confederation of Trade Unions yesterday also suggested that magistrates should preside the tribunal.