Petronov workers said in a signed declaration today they had always received their salaries regularly and did not want to be involved in any situation that might exist between their employer and Palumbo.
The workers' declaration was sent to the media by Palumbo.
In a reply, Palumbo denied the allegations.
In another statement accompanying the workers' declaration today, Palumbo regretted that Petronav and others had opted to try to cast it in a bad light.
"Now, the workers themselves have declared that this was untrue and they they did not wish to be drawn into any disputes that they are not part of.
"Palumbo feels that this statement shows that it was targeted unfairly by Petronav and called upon the company to honour its obligations."