The General Workers' Union yesterday filed a judicial protest complaining about what it termed as an unacceptable risk of asbestos poisoning at Malta Shipyards Ltd.

In the protest, filed against Malta Shipyards, the union said that although it had been raising concerns for some time with the company, Malta Shipyards had denied that there was any risk of illness.

Following this declaration, the union had asked the company to bind itself contractually to compensate any employee in the eventuality of a future manifestation of illness related to asbestos. But the company had failed to address the employees' worries and had, to date, not assumed responsibility for that eventuality.

The union said it had recently become manifest that the company's employees were being exposed to asbestos fibres. Last February, it resulted that some gaskets contained asbestos fibres. As a result, the employees had unknowingly been working in contact with asbestos.

The union said that, as a result, the company had to assume its responsibilities and ensure that under no circumstances were employees to be in contact with harmful substances.

The company was also bound to fulfil its obligations towards its employees and pay compensation to such persons who contracted asbestos poisoning.

In conclusion, the union held Malta Shipyards liable in damages.

Lawyer Aron Mifsud Bonnici acted for the GWU.