The public service sector of the Union Haddiema Maghqudin has written to the law courts’ administration saying it would take industrial action if it does not receive a reply to a formal request for a revision in the payments system to court marshals.

Such a revision was last made 10 years ago, and the union had sought the intervention of the public service director general in a bid to improve the marshals’ remuneration. The union said it has been working on the issue for several months but no agreement had yet been reached.

On 6 March, the union wrote to the law courts’ administration saying that unless it is given an official reply on the matter by 31 March, it is ready to order industrial action.

In another statement, the union said it had held a meeting with the permanent secretary in the Gozo Ministry to discuss the shortage of workers in the law courts in Gozo.

The union said it has been informed that discussions were being held with the Office of the Prime Minister in order to find a solution.

The union said Gozo law court employees were working under heavy stress, especially after eight workers who retired were not replaced.