Alternattiva Demokratika has urged dockyard operator Palumbo to desist from using grit blasting due to the health and environmental consequences.

AD spokesperson for energy, industry and transport Ralph Cassar said that comments by Palumbo's CEO were tantamount to blackmail.

"There are alternatives to the methods being used by Palumbo, including temporary tent-like structures or alternatives to grit-blasting. AD favoured EU accession because this was supposed to mean higher standards and more respect for people's quality of life. If Palumbo came to Malta on the premise that government will allow it to do whatever it wants then it should say so," he said.

"Any reversal of the MEPA decision to stop grit-blasting is unacceptable. Companies which blackmail and use workers as pawns have no place in Malta." Michael Briguglio, AD chairman, added that Malta should stop acting as if there were no alternatives to shipyards or that the shipyards and social and environmental responsibility were irreconcilable.

"Palumbo should clean up its act, or else the valuable land used for shipyard purposes can be used for other economically viable purposes which can give value added not only to the economy but also to the three cities. Will the Nationalist Government take serious action to stop the polluting activities at the shipyards or will it give in to blackmail?'