GRTU demands positive action from government

The change in government was smooth however the changes the business community expected to happen have not materialised, the General Retailers and Traders Union (GRTU) said.

"Malta has proved what a healthy and mature democracy we are. We want a change in the business climate, in the business performance," the GRTU said.

In its weekly newsletter, the GRTU said it is currently meeting ministers individually and presenting a dossier with a package of proposals for immediate action to each minister

"Business is dynamic. It is positive action that GRTU is requesting," the leading article in the union's newsletter said.

The reduction of bank interest on business loans and the reduction of excessive bank charges were among the priority demands the GRTU listed.

"The supernormal profit banks are making is simply not reflective of the state of business in general," the GRTU said.

It also called for a reduction on excessive charges imposed on credit cards to retailers on services provided by business for onward transactions to consumers.

On energy tariffs, the union said: "It is unacceptable that Enemalta and Water Corporation continue to enjoy anti-competitive discriminatory, high charges on commercial entities. This is cross subsidisation which is not acceptable under EU rules."

GRTU also called for a reduction of Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) charges.

"Some years back a joke of an exercise was conducted by MFSA to reduce charges on businesses. All business owners of micro and small firms know that MFSA charges are excessive and a burden that is grossly unjust," it said.

The union also urged the government to reduce port charges, which it said remained too high adding that Transport Malta "has completely failed to make any difference."

GRTU added that the government needs to address illicit trading of goods to Malta from European Ports and said that rules regulating EU ports should be enforced in Malta.

It said abuse in Malta's ports is so rampant that a high ratio of trade is "actually illicit and tax avoiding while the authorities turn a blind eye."

A reduction in communication charges, including mobile telephony, completed the GRTU's demands.

It called on the Malta Communications Authority to "wake up and act" over what it described as excessive charges compared to the rest of the EU.