Open Markets reform white paper proposes new board, stronger emphasis on compliance

The newly published white paper on reforms related to open markets proposes that a new Local Markets Board be implemented to take care of the markets, and would be responsible for making sure all hawkers are in compliance with all regulations.

The proposed reforms are a response to a ministerial analysis into the situation, wherein it was found that a more structured policy-making set-up, a sufficient resolution procedure, the elimination of needless bureaucracy when it comes to permits, better data collection and analysis, and better reforming of conformity with regulations and associated violations.

The new structure set up essentially removes dispute resolution and market stall allocation from local councils, and instead transfers them onto a triumvate of entities.

The open market board will be responsible for advising the minister responsible for commerce on all issues related to local markets, to conduct studies into the local market sector and advise the government on policy issues, to monitor the work of different enforcement authorities, and to address complaints regarding operations of local markets.

The board will be made up of a chairman, a deputy chairman, and representatives from the local council’s association, the Malta Competition and Consumer Authority, the Police Force, the Environmental Health Directorate, the Government’s department responsible for market hawker licenses, along with a member from any other entity which the minister feels has a bearing on the co-ordination of local markets. The board will have a three-year term.

There will then be an open market compliance promotion unit, which will be responsible for making sure all hawkers are compliant with the existing regulations, and a stall space and permit unit, which will handle licensing within the local market sector.

Other proposals include certain amendments to the trading licenses act in terms of matters related to the issue of permits, obligations of hawkers, the extent of involvement required from the local councils, and areas marked out for hawkers.

Furthermore, it is proposed that each market hawker license have a €40 application fee and a €40 renewal fee, renewals which should be affected every three years. Furthermore, there shall be an ad hoc license for each market; one which will be transferrable to third parties against a payment of €1000. This payment is however waived if the license transfer is made to an immediate family member.

Addressing a press conference announcing the white paper, Economy Minister Chris Cardona said that if open markets are regulated and administered properly, they can only get stronger. Cardona said that the new white paper would find a balance between the interests of the government, hawkers, consumers and residents. He said that he knew that the majority of hawkers follow the letter of the law, but noted that the few who didn’t contribute to the mistaken stereotype that many have of market hawkers.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government and Communities Silvio Parnis meanwhile said that because the government believes in the local councils and wants to see that they can work in an effective and efficient manner, they have further reduced the burdens on the council.

There are in total 21 regulated open markets across Malta and Gozo, which incorporate around 1,600 market stalls. The consultation period on this white paper will remain open for the three weeks to come, and the government will be holding meetings with numerous stakeholders to further discuss the contents of the reform.