GRTU insisting on compensation to Valletta businesses for embellishment works

The GRTU is insisting the works, part of the City Gate projects, have “endangered” the livelihood of its members, and wants compensation for the loss in business.

GRTU director-general has written to the Prime Minister demanding compensation, threatening to direct his members not to pay VAT, trade licences and other national contributions.

The infrastructure and transport ministry, on the other hand, says only a month ago the GRTU wrote a congratulatory note to the ministry for the long-overdue embellishment works.

Today, Farrugia said it was surprising that the government was claiming it consulted with stakeholders on the work. “The right way of carrying out these works is through a strategic plan, with discussions taking place with the shopkeepers’ representatives, the GRTU, which has been so for the past 60 years. That’s what a serious government does.”

The GRTU also said that the congratulatory note referred to by Austin Gatt’s ministry related to other works in St John’s Street.

The infrastructure and transport minister said the GRTU’s demands for compensation on business loss from the Valletta City Gate works have contradicted the previous letter of congratulations. Austin Gatt said that a letter to the Prime Minister signed by GRTU director-general Vince Farrugia, warning his members won’t pay VAT if they don’t receive compensation for alleged business losses, contrasted sharply with letter signed Dr Jan-Karl Farrugia on behalf of the same GRTU where the association states “we take the opportunity to thank you for the rapid progress and little inconvenience that the project has caused to the shop community.”