Hili Companies Sued for €500,000 by Former Executive

Picture this: a sleek, modern office in the heart of Malta’s business district, Tigne’ Street. It’s here that a high-profile corporate spat is playing out, with former executive, Joseph Xuereb, suing Hili Companies for a whopping €500,000. The case, set to shake up Malta’s corporate scene, is a tale of power, politics, and alleged wrongdoing.

Xuereb, once a key player in Hili Companies, was unceremoniously sacked in 2020. His exit was as sudden as his rise to power. He joined the company in 2016, quickly climbing the ranks to become a director. But his star fell as suddenly as it had risen, and he found himself out of a job and, he claims, out of a substantial sum of money.

“I built that company from the ground up,” Xuereb told Hot Malta, his voice echoing through the bustling streets of Sliema. “I turned it into a powerhouse, and then they just threw me out like yesterday’s news.”

Xuereb’s lawsuit alleges that Hili Companies breached his employment contract, failed to pay him bonuses totaling €500,000, and engaged in constructive dismissal. The latter claim suggests that Hili Companies made Xuereb’s working conditions so intolerable that he was forced to resign.

Hili Companies, however, paints a different picture. In a statement to Hot Malta, they maintained that Xuereb’s dismissal was due to “serious misconduct” and that they would “vigorously defend” themselves against the lawsuit.

The case has also drawn attention to the political ties of Hili Companies. The group is closely linked to the ruling Labour Party, with some of its top executives holding political appointments. Xuereb’s lawsuit, therefore, has the potential to stir up political tensions.

“This is about more than just money,” Xuereb said. “It’s about principle, about standing up to those who abuse their power.”

The lawsuit is set to be heard in the Industrial Tribunal later this year. Both parties are digging in their heels, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle. The outcome could have significant implications for Malta’s corporate scene and the political ties that bind it.

As for Xuereb, he’s ready for the fight. “I built that company,” he said, his voice steady. “And I’ll fight to get what’s rightfully mine.”