‘Workers must return to Hexagon House’

The planning authority filed a judicial protest against two trade unions insisting that, once an independent study on strange smells at its premises indicated there were no health risks, the staff should return to work.

The Malta Environment Planning Authority filed the protest against the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin and the Union of Professional Employees.

It said independent experts had carried out the necessary tests and concluded there was no risk to health and safety.

Last February 11, the unions directed members not to report to work, insisting it had been proven that Hexagon House, in Marsa, constituted a potentially unsafe working environment.

The directive had been issued after 33 employees were certified as having health problems caused by noxious fumes. The Hexagon House area is notorious for the strong smell of fuel that occasionally fills the air. Mepa bought the office block, which previously belonged to HSBC, in 2008.

Following the directive, Environment Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco had set-up office inside the building to experience first-hand the employee’s complaints. He remained there for a number of weeks.

Lawyer Andrew Borg Cardona signed the protest.