GRTU condemns ‘presidential havoc’

GRTU said in a statement yesterday it is very proud that Malta is holding the EU Council Presidency and it is with great honour that we welcome the leaders of the European Union in our home country. GRTU however regrets to have to say that this has resulted in a logistical nightmare for businesses in Valletta.

This is not about security, even though some considerations here are also required. Businesses in Valletta have understood that certain changes might be necessary and when required they even remove their outside tables and chairs to make way for the passing visiting dignitaries.

The conditions imposed on businesses are however ridiculous.

Businesses in Republic Street are given not even a day’s notice that they will not be allowed to accept customers for a whole four hours during the afternoon. Customers caught in coffee shops will not be allowed to exit during this timeframe and restaurants in Archbishop Street have been asked to remain closed for the whole day today.

“GRTU condemns the approach where businesses have to dance to whatever tune our authorities play, no matter how amateurish and anti-business this is. There is no consideration to impact this has on loss of business and schedules businesses have already committed to with their customers and employees.

“We expect the presidency to benefit Malta and to leave more money in our economy. We expect our visitors to spend some euros in Malta and take home beautiful memories and gifts for their colleagues and loved ones. We certainly do not expect the authorities to raise barricades to keep the commercial activity in Valletta out of sight and reach.

“GRTU will not accept that businesses be treated as second class. Parking spaces for their customers have been taken away to make way for the residents.

“The most unsightly structures (for the controversial extension to St John’s Museum) have been placed in front of their shops in Merchants Street, the most beautiful street in Valletta, when we have worked hard to clear the area even from market stalls. Restaurants feel the slow down because clients are not coming into because Valletta is a logistical nightmare and they are staying away.

“How well Malta fares in this presidency is not only measured by the number of meetings we chair and the pictures showing our high officials shaking hands with the leaders of Europe. The Maltese citizens and businesses must be inconvenienced in the least possible way.

“These people live in Valletta, they feed their families and pay their employees from their shops in Valletta. They cannot just hit pause until this six month ordeal is over.

“The EU Presidents Tusk, Tajani and Junker all talk about the social crisis the EU is experiencing. People are not feeling they belong in Europe and feel at a distance. They call on our policy makers to bring the people closer to Europe and drive Europe home.

GRTU asks the Presidents Tusk, Tajani and Junker to join GRTU in its appeal to the Maltese authorities not to turn the presidency into a nightmare for Maltese citizens and businesses.

“The country and Europe does not afford to have its citizens and businesses feel even more distanced from Europe because it is simply a headache for them and they are treated as second class.

“Logistical planning started at the 11th hour and we are making a fool of ourselves. GRTU has appealed for proper planning during every single meeting where the Presidency was discussed.

“It was evident even back then, over a year ago, that the authorities are so overwhelmed by the number of meetings they will be chairing that logistics were being left by the side. We have unfortunately been proven right and our businesses are suffering.

“GRTU appreciates the intense pressure this puts on a small country like Malta and our Police Force’s commitment to ensure safety but logistics and the way people and businesses are handled needs immediate and drastic improvements. “