Trelleborg Sealing Solutions employees, represented by the General Workers’ Union (GWU) Chemical, Energy and Printing section, yesterday held a protest against fumes emanating from a nearby factory which they say are affecting their health.

Section secretary Rebecca Gatt said workers have been complaining for the past months that since the firm relocated in the new premises at the Hal Far Industrial Estate, they have been smelling an irritating odour.

The fumes are causing eye and throat irritations, headaches, dizziness and other symptoms, the workers claimed.

Ms Gatt said on 15 November the section informed the Trelleborg management that it will instruct shop stewards to evacuate the building if the smell was to persist. Besides, the section insisted that the management should allow workers who want to seek medical advice to do so. In fact, said Ms Gatt, there was a considerable amount of workers who did so. She also expressed her concern about the women who work at Trelleborg, especially those who are pregnant.

The secretary said the section held talks with the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa), the Malta Industrial Parks (MIP) and the Health Ministry. Although all of these entities told the union they are carrying out their investigations, they added that Malta does not have an environmental legal framework, the necessary air testing equipment is lacking or that it is not the entity’s policy to divulge information on actions undertaken.

On the insistence of the section, Trelleborg management sued IMC Limited in the First Hall, Civil Court to hold it responsible for the damages suffered by the workers and the factory’s productivity.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, Trelleborg workers said the fumes generally reach a high intensity from 2am to 7am. They added that they have seen dead rats and birds in the vicinity of the factories, which overlook a cliff. The workers also stated that there were days when more than six workers needed hospital treatment.