Industrial action by court deputy registrars and bailiffs is imminent unless they receive benefits they are due, according to the UĦM Voice of the Workers.

UĦM assistant director Edwin Balzan said that, about two months ago, the union had concluded an agreement but the allowances and benefits promised were not passed on to the workers. As a result, the union registered an industrial dispute with the law courts administration.

Mr Balzan said it was shameful that workers had not yet received what they were due.

However, law courts director general Frankie Mercieca told the Times of Malta the matter would be resolved and the workers would receive what they were due in the next pay cheque.

Court administration would be meeting the union shortly to discuss the matter

“It was only a question of time until all clarifications were made and workings done. The deputy registrars will be receiving increments and arrears in their next payslip,” he said.

Asked about court bailiffs, Mr Mercieca said the court administration would be meeting the union shortly to discuss the matter.

Mr Balzan protested that, had the issue been a case of discipline, the court administration would have taken action immediately. However, since it was about benefits due to workers, it took more than two months to get things sorted, Mr Balzan complained.

He warned that the first directives would be issued tomorrow and would include instructions not to answer phones and e-mails. If the dispute persisted, the union would escalate the action, he said.