According to former Dom Mintoff aide Sammy Meilaq, the 1984 attack on the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana by a number of shipyard workers “was of benefit to the faith in Malta”.
Mr Meilaq made this controversial claim in his book Biċċiet Minni, in which he looked back and passed judgement on major political and social events that marked recent political history.
The book was launched yesterday as part of the 70th anniversary celebrations of the General Workers’ Union.
Throughout his career, the retired trade unionist also served as the shipyard’s chairman for 12 years, until 1997, when the Labour government regained control of the Dockyard’s council.
He militated in the GWU for more than 40 years, until reaching retirement age three years ago.
Mr Meilaq recounts that, at the height of the private schools dispute, which was triggered by the Government’s plan to make Church schools free of charge, tensions were running high.
In a matter of 15 minutes, they entered the premises and damaged various parts of the Curia
He says “it was almost certain” that this would lead to violence.
On September 28, 1984, Mr Meilaq was at the forefront of a show of strength at the shipyards in Għajn Dwieli, which had always been a Labour Party stronghold.
He recounts that, following an address by then education minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, who would succeed Mr Mintoff as Prime Minister in fewer than three months, those present “spontaneously” decided to march towards the capital.
At the end of the demonstration, “about 30 shipyard workers” split from the rest and headed towards the Archbishop’s Curia in Floriana.
“In a matter of 15 minutes, they entered the premises and damaged various parts of the Curia,” Mr Meilaq writes in his book. He notes that, “ironically”, the incident led to the Archbishop’s decision to postpone the re-opening of schools after the summer holidays and so avoid further civil unrest.
From then on, tension slowly defused, Mr Meilaq writes, adding that, in 1987, the Nationalist Administration did not revert to the previous arrangement for Church schools but opted to build on it. He argues that the people had conveyed a clear message that the time for “elitist” Church schools had to end.
Mr Meilaq also delves into the political crisis that led to the collapse of the Labour Government, headed by Alfred Sant, in 1998, at the hands of Mr Mintoff.
He recounts that, in the run-up to the 1996 general election, the party leadership had not heeded Mr Mintoff’s advice to intensify the battle against drug dealers and to expose the country’s financial situation.
Though he acknowledges that, two years later, Mr Mintoff miscalculated his actions, he remarks Mr Mintoff was proved right in terms of how the party should proceed, describing him as “a prophet”. However, he remarks that the former Prime Minister could not implement his plan, as he was no longer “the king”.
The book refers to Mr Mintoff’s venture back in politics in the run-up to the EU accession referendum when he set up the Front Maltin Inqumu, which vehemently opposed membership.
Mr Meilaq remarks that Mr Mintoff’s views were not converging with those of the Labour Party even though they were both campaigning against membership.
He concludes his book by recounting the events of his last day at work on March 30, 2010, which coincided with the privatisation of the shipyards, when Palumbo took over the debt-ridden enterprise.
Peter Mayo described the author as “an organic intellectual”.
He lauded Mr Meilaq for the manner in which he fought to safeguard his principles and cited the 1988 Grand Harbour blockade when Mr Meilaq played a central part to protest against the “breach in neutrality” following the Government’s decision to allow HMS Ark Royal into Malta.
On his part, GWU secretary general Tony Zarb said he felt “indebted” to Mr Meilaq, adding that he was a role model and somebody to look up to throughout his career in trade unionism.