'Unfair' statements

Statements made recently by Investments Minister Austin Gatt regarding the Freeport were false, according to Emanuel Zammit, secretary of the General Workers' Union's Maritime and Aviation section.

Dr Gatt has described the practices employed by port workers at the Freeport as outdated, saying the situation was having an impact on the prices being quoted for operators in the transshipment market.

Mr Zammit said it was unfair that the minister had given the wrong impression of port workers.

Those at the Freeport, he said, earned Lm150 a week but they did not have leave, sick leave and shift allowances and did not get paid for public holidays. Neither did they have a stable shift, working only when they were required.

The minister should know that the inefficiencies and expenses of the Freeport did not emanate from port workers but from the machinery and trucks, which were not in good condition.

The minister should specify the cost of repairs to quay crane number 12, Mr Zammit said.