The GSD says the delays in appointing Chairpersons within the employment tribunal are "unacceptable".

A statement from the GSD follows below:

Many cases lie paralysed at the Employment Tribunal without progress. This affects the rights  of due process of sacked employees. The Government have confirmed that there are no less  than 59 cases awaiting the appointment of a Chairperson at the Employment Tribunal. In some  cases people who have been dismissed have been waiting for more than a year or two simply  for their cases to progress. This is completely unacceptable.  

These 59 appointments still to be made are in respect of applications filed at the Tribunal as  follows: 9 cases since 2020, 27 cases since 2021 and up to date 23 cases filed in 2022. 

Opposition Spokesman for Employment, Edwin Reyes, added: 

“The unacceptable delays in appointing a Chairperson in order to deal with applications lodged  at the Employment Tribunal is a total failure in our Justice system and equally affects both  Employers and Employees. People’s rights are being affected by these delays. 

The huge delays in appointing Tribunal Chairpersons should not be tolerated any more. There  is no justifiable reason why some persons have been waiting for over two years for their  applications to proceed since they were filed.” 

The GSD remains committed to its 2019 Election Manifesto pledge whereby “a Courts and Tribunals  Service will be established incorporating the Current Court Service and absorbing the Employment  Tribunal and other Tribunals. This will ensure streamlined processes and easier administration for  cases.”