Eighty port workers filed a judicial protest in connection with a recent collective agreement that would bar workers who joined in after l July from receiving accrued cost of living adjustment (COLA).

In the writ the port workers pointed out that they felt cheated by the agreement signed by the Malta Dockers Union, the Communications and Competitiveness Ministry and the Malta Maritime Authority they felt cheated.

Currently, when a port worker retires, resigns or dies, the vacancy is first offered to the worker's children who inherit their licence. The workers claimed that new workers who entered service prior 1 July benefited from a lump sum paid by the pensions and contingency fund, while the others were not to benefit from the sum.

The writ was signed by Dr Anglu Farrugia and Local Procurator Nadine Farrugia and presented against the Prime Minister, the Attorney General, Communications and Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea, MMA and Malta Dockers Union.