The issue began on Monday 22 March, when the employees received a letter informing them that due to operational exigencies, they had been transferred to a branch in Malta. The transfer came into effect two days later, on Wednesday 24 March.

In the letter, signed by Senior Manager of Human Resources Teddy Cilia, the employees were told: “As a result of operational exigencies, you are being transferred to (branch) as from Wednesday 24 March 2004. You are kindly asked to report at the (branch) at 07.30 and ask for the Assistant Manager/Senior Administrator in charge.”

On 24 March, Mr Cilia again wrote to the employees: “I refer to my letter dated 22 March... Due to some developments that occurred late yesterday evening, I am informing you that as from today you are being considered as being on vacation leave.”

The employees were told that they “are being considered as being on vacation leave till Monday 29 March 2004.” Last Monday, they were told that they will receive – and did receive – an official communication from the company regarding the instructions they should have followed yesterday.

However, as a form of protest to the decision to transfer them to Malta, the employees all phoned in sick. It is not known when they will return to work.

Speaking to The Malta Independent last week, the employees complained about the increased hardship they had to face in travelling to Malta every morning for work. Reporting for work in central or southern Malta at 7.30am would mean that they would have to take the 5.45am ferry in order to arrive at work on time.

Several attempts to contact Mr Cilia, head of corporate services Joe Gafa or public relations officer Tony Barbaro Sant proved futile.