An industrial dispute has been registered by the UHM-Voice of the workers for employees at the Gozo law courts and at the Gozo Abattoir, over issues primarily relating to health and safety.

If nothing is done, then industrial action will take place in two-days time, a UHM official confirmed

Speaking with The Malta Independent, a UHM - Voice of the Workers representative said that the reasons for such a move when it comes to the Gozo law courts, are many. "The fire extinguishers are expired, there is no emergency exit as the door in the registry is locked and if an incident occurs cannot be opened, The evidence room hasn't be cleaned for a year and a half, the PA system in Hall C hasn't worked for years, the area near the court Marshall's room is filthy, and there are health and safety issues in the corridor leading to the registry. In addition, health and safety regulations are not being followed, and there are not enough staff."

As for the Gozo abattoir, the representative said that health and safety laws are not being observed.

He said that a Ministry for Gozo official responded, asking the UHM to send details of the issues they have, and in response, the UHM said that this email confirmed how the meetings that occurred were just for show, and that for the ministry, workers are just numbers. The UHM representative also indicated that workers from other departments will also enter into industrial action in solidarity with the aforementioned if nothing is done.