A group of boatmen gathered at their landing site in Valletta on Thursday to protest the start of planned jetty works they say could destroy the Maltese harbour boat tradition. The protesters gathered in 15 boats in front of Customs House in Valletta holding placards exclaiming "RIP dghajsa tal-pass", "workers forgotten by the Labour government" and "traitors of Maltese traditions". The barklori claim that the government has neglected them by failing to provide them with an alternative landing site while preparation works for plans to expand Pinto Wharf have already begun. They say Pinto Wharf is to be expanded as part of the extension of the cruise liner terminal, and the barklori argue it is going to completely take over their landing site. Boatmen gather for the protest. Video: Matthew Mirabelli The works are threatening the livelihood of Maltese families, they say, and could be the "downfall" of a piece of Malta's cultural heritage. "The barklori have been operating from the landing site in front of Customs House, Valletta from the time of the knights," they said in a statement. "The knights came, two World Wars passed, there was a global pandemic, and it seems that the...
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