Around 200 former port workers held a protest walk in Valletta this morning, calling on the prime minister to meet them by the end of the month to discuss their call for participation in the Port Workers Contingency Fund.

The workers, led by the General Workers' Union, are seeking an out-of-court settlement to be given what they claim they are due. The workers had contributed to the fund which now runs into several million euro.  The issue over their eligibility arose after the 2007 port reform.

GWU General Secretary Tony Zarb addressed the workers outside the Auberge de Castille, criticising the prime minister for having told the union and the workers to refer the matter to the Attorney General.

He criticised the prime minister for not meeting the workers when he had found the time to meet other sectors of society.

The workers held up posters saying "Prime Ministru ma dhaltx fil-kcina tieghi" or "The Prime Minister does not want to speak to us".

Mr Zarb said the union would continue to push for a resolution of the matter and he reminded the prime minister that the workers would use their vote if the matter was not resolved.

He then handed in a letter to the Office of the Prime Minister.

Dr Gonzi was not in the building since he is currently in Brusels for an EU summit.