Two workers who the GWU had said were suspended by Malta Freeport for obeying directives for industrial action have now returned to work, GWU General Secretary Tony Zarb confirmed to timesofmalta.com this morning.

Mr Zarb welcomed the development. "This is a positive step forward which can lead to more contacts between us and the freeport for a fair solution to be found for everyone," he said.

In a statement later, the GWU said it considered the freeport decision as a step for the normalisation of relations between the two sides.

The GWU and the Malta Dockers' Union are currently in dispute over trade union recognition at the freeport.

The GWU almost two weeks ago ordered a go-slow and work to rule at the freeport. The company took the issue to court and had a €1m garnishee order issued against the union as a guarantee for damages which the freeport said it had suffered. The union is insisting that the industrial actions are covered by trade union immunity.

Malta Freeport had denied that the workers were suspended for obeying trade union directives.

Mr Zarb said the GWU is currently discussing the situation.

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