Lm2,000 compensation for unjust transfer

An accountant employed by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue was yesterday found to have suffered an injustice at work when he was transferred to work at the Medical Stores.

The ruling was made by the Tribunal for the Investigation of Injustices presided over by Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco.

Christopher Pace filed his application against the Commissioner of Inland Revenue claiming he had suffered an injustice because he was not allocated suitably important work within the department. He further claimed that his transfer to the Medical Stores constituted an injustice in his regard.

The tribunal noted it did not have the jurisdiction to review an administration decision save in cases of manifest unfairness. In this case Pace had not proven he had been treated in a manifestly unjust manner.

Pace's complaint in this regard was therefore dismissed.

However, the tribunal upheld Pace's claim insofar as his transfer to Medical Stores was concerned. Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco noted that Pace was a university graduate and was happy with the work he was set to carry out at the Inland Revenue Department. No evidence was forthcoming that Pace was in any manner insubordinate, nor had any negative reports been made about him.

Yet, Pace had been transferred from the department to Medical Stores without any reason being given for this transfer. The tribunal added that the commissioner had failed to produce any evidence justifying Pace's transfer.

The tribunal recommended that Pace be awarded Lm2,000 by way of compensation.