Some dockyard workers had tears in their eyes today as they left their place of work for the last time.
The 60 remaining workers at Malta Shipyards ended their last working day at 2.30 p.m. Another 200 casual workers were employed on weekly contracts which will not be renewed.
Their departure marked the end of the road for Malta Shipyards, which is to be privatised.
The workers were seen shaking hands, or hugging each other, as they carried their personal belongings out of what was once the workplace of thousands.
All but one of the workers are to be retained in government employment, while one will take early retirement.
When questioned, some swore at the government for closing down the dockyard, others said they hoped to work with the new operator - Italian company Palumbo.

