'Whistleblower' accuses Enemalta of punishing him

An engineer yesterday filed a judicial protest in the First Hall of the Civil Court against Enemalta Corporation.

Kenneth Abela declared that he was employed by the corporation at professional executive level and had been acting manager within the Gas Division for the past 14 months even though, in terms of an internal circular, he ought to have been appointed to this post on a permanent basis.

Last month Abela was suspended from work on an indefinite basis on the grounds that he had allegedly passed on information on health and safety to the Authority for Health and Safety at the place of work. Three days after his suspension the corporation issued a charge against him. This, Abela claimed, was not in accordance with the collective agreement governing Enemalta. In his protest Abela claimed that two weeks ago his suspension was withdrawn but he was ordered to report for work at the Loss Control Unit of the Petroleum Division.

Furthermore, to date Enemalta had not appointed a disciplinary board to hear and decide his case and in the meantime his former post was to be assigned to another employee. This would cause Abela to sustain both financial and seniority prejudice.

Abela also submitted that he was being penalised for having taken action to safeguard the health and safety of employees at Enemalta. This was in violation of the regulations governing occupational health and safety.

Abela concluded his protest by calling upon Enemalta to appoint the disciplinary board to hear and decide his case.

Dr Tonio Azzopardi signed the protest.