The executive committee of the Malta Dockers' Union this morning filed a libel suit against General Workers' Union secretary general Tony Zarb.

The members of the committee, namely Joseph Saliba, Frans Abela, Carmel Baldacchino, George Zammit, Nazzareno Bugeja, Alfred Mufsud and George Spiteri, are claiming that Mr Zarb had libelled them in an article entitled Laqgha Sigrieta bejn ministru, ufficjal tal-MMA u iehor tal-MDU - Konfoffa kontra l-GWU, published in last Thursday's l-Orizzont.

In the article Mr Zarb wrote that a secret meeting had been held between a prominent minister, senior Maritime Authority officials and a senior MDU official to discuss steps that should be taken for the GWU not to be given official recognition for licensed port workers.

The MDU committee members are claiming that the article contained false and libellous allegations in their regard. These were aimed at offending their honour and reputation while exposing them to the public's contempt.