Labour MP Helena Dalli, party spokesperson for women’s rights and the public sector, deplored the absence of ministerial representatives at the launching of the 4,500-tonne pontoon built at the Malta Shipyards.

Two ministers had been invited to the event, she said, but no government representative had attended, showing a lack of respect not only for the workers but also for the foreign representatives who were present.

The Our Lady of Victories, built at the shipyards for AGIP, ABB and Rolls Royce, has four gas-operated turbines which generate 140 MW of electricity. The work had been praised by its owners, said Ms Dalli, and the workers had shown dedication, flexibility and ability.

She added that Malta Shipyard workers were right to remark that, while the minister responsible for the shipyards was always quick to criticise them and threaten the closure of their company, neither he nor any other minister had been present at the event, which the foreign owners themselves had organised to thank the workers for the good job they had done.