I refer to the article by Gilbert Calleja entitled “Job Secure for University Employee Working for PN Travel Agency” appearing in MaltaToday on 16 April, 2006.
I regret to write that Mr Calleja misquoted me and put into my mouth words I did not utter.
In a few minutes tele-cell conversation one evening three weeks ago, Mr Calleja asked me, as acting Rector, about the University’s policy on long leave without pay. I explained that the University provided such leave to its employees who were engaged in national assignments such as at the EU or as senior officials with the political parties.
Mr. Calleja then asked me whether this policy covered Mr Pio Saliba, a University employee who was currently working at PN Headquarters. To my answer that I knew neither Mr. Saliba nor that he was a University employee, Mr Calleja insisted that as a Pro-Rector, I should be made aware of the case, and should be very concerned about it. I confirmed that I was not familiar with the case, but would look into it. I used the word “nindaga” and not “ninvestiga”, nor did I use the expression “I don’t know what to say” as reported, because I knew exactly what I was saying.
When I did look into the matter, I discovered that Mr Calleja had had all the answers to his questions before he had phoned me. The University Human Resources Office had informed him that Mr Saliba’s and similar requests were considered on their own merits. He was also told that the University was legally advised that further details could not be provided due to the Data Protection Act.
This information Mr Calleja built into his article. What I cannot understand is his purpose of building up his story around a few minutes tele-cell conversation with me giving the impression that we had a long discussion on the matter, and that I agreed with his preoccupation about Mr Pio Saliba’s case, when nothing is further from the truth.
Professor Charles Farrugia
University of Malta
Editorial note: The above letter has been left unedited as received by Professor Charles Farrugia himself, university pro-rector and founder Dean of the Faculty of Education.
The university’s communications office has refused to give information about Mr Pio Saliba on the premise that they could not provide information because of the Data Protection Act. The Data Protection Act should not be confused with the dissemination of how national institutions function, let alone those which are publicly funded.
The replies given to the MaltaToday journalist were noted down and appear in last Sunday’s report as communicated to him. The difference between the meaning of the word “nindaga” and “ninvestiga” is ludicrous, since they carry the same translation in English; perhaps, Profs Farrugia will explain the subtle difference.
But instead of debating semantics, it would be interesting to know why the University of Malta continues to insist on such an unclear policy on frozen posts for academic and non-academic staff on indefinite, long-term leave.
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