A couple whose baby died after being born prematurely last year have filed a judicial protest against ST Microelectronics claiming that their baby's premature birth and subsequent death was the result of workplace exposure to melamine in the early stages of pregnancy.

The protest was filed this morning by Bethany Cassar and Claude Frendo.

They said that that when she became pregnant, Ms Cassar expressed her concerns to the company's health and safety officer over exposure to melamine and the lack of safety precautions. But nothing was done initially.

After three months and following more complaints, Ms Cassar was moved to another section where she was not in contact with melamine.

The baby was born prematurely on November 23, 2008 and died the following day.

The post mortem report showed that the baby died as a result of neo-natal respiratory distress syndrome and bilateral renal cystic dysplasia kidneys and clinical prematurity.

The complainants listed studies showing that there was a direct link between the cause of their baby's death and exposure to melamine during early pregnancy.

They insisted that their baby had died as a result of negligence by the company and non-observance of regulations. They held the company responsible for damages.