Interprint Ltd chairman Alfred Mallia Milanes yesterday denied allegations made by General Workers’ Union secretary general Tony Zarb last week, saying he was not involved in the transfer of work from Interprint to Gutenberg Press. He also denied knowing anything about the matter.

Government-owned Interprint Ltd is being closed down by the government, leading to the termination of employment of 35 workers.

In a letter signed by his lawyer Dr Hugh Peralta, Mr Mallia Milanes also objected to Mr Zarb’s claim that he was Gutenberg Ltd’s “industrial consultant”. He pointed out that he was the company’s employment and industrial relations consultant which, he said, was different from being the “industrial consultant” as Mr Zarb claimed. Moreover, he stressed the fact that he acts as an employment and industrial relations consultant to several companies.

Mr Mallia Milanes said he did not know anything about the work passed on to Gutenberg Ltd, neither as the chairman of Interprint Ltd nor as Gutenberg’s employment and industrial relations consultant.

In his letter, Mr Mallia Milanes referred to reports carried in The Malta Independent, l-orizzont, di-ve.com and the PBS news bulletin which reported a press conference delivered by Mr Zarb outside the Interprint press in Marsa.

Mr Mallia Milanes said Mr Zarb’s allegations were defamatory and libellous. He called on Mr Zarb to issue a statement saying he (Mr Mallia Milanes) was a man of integrity and that he had done nothing which was in breach of his responsibilities as chairman of Interprint Ltd.

He also requested that this statement be issued within three days and be given the same prominence as the articles reporting Mr Zarb’s press conference.

He reserved the right to take legal action if this is not done.