A former Freeport employee was awarded Lm4,000 in damages by an industrial tribunal after it ruled that he was unjustly laid off.

The tribunal, presided over by Antoine DeGiovanni, heard how John Sammut, while working as a construction worker in 1991, fell off a wall which collapsed. After six months he started suffering from back pain.

In 1993 and 1994 he was referred to the Orthopaedic and Neurology Department at St Luke’s Hospital, were he was found to be in good health.

In 1997 he was once again examined at the same department, where he was advised not to engage in physically demanding jobs.

After undergoing a medical test by his GP, which was based on a questionnaire and a signed statement, he was hired by the Malta Freeport as a Quayside Crane Operator. After a series of accidents in which he always strained his back, he was suspended from his job and eventually laid off in February.

Mr DeGiovanni said a strict interpretation of the questionnaire filled by Mr Sammut prior to the commencement of his job, was not a sufficient enough reason to fire him and ordered the company to pay Mr Sammut Lm4,000 in damages

Dr George Abela and Dr Lydia Zerafa assisted Mr Sammut while Dr Joe Zammit Maempel appeared for Malta Freeport Terminals Limited and Freeport Terminal plc.