GRTU pushes for reform at <i>pitkalija</i>

The Association of General Retailers and Traders again insisted on reforms at the fruit and vegetable market in Ta' Qali during a meeting with Agriculture Ministry officials, the association said.

The GRTU said the failure to reform the pitkalija was causing unnecessary hardship to sellers.

The association claimed that the erratic system being used was contributing to higher vegetable prices for consumers.

The GRTU said that contrary to what everyone thought, it was not true that the price was established on the basis of an auction that depended on offers made and on the quality of the product.

Many of the products were not even taken to Ta' Qali and the hawkers and greengrocers were being compelled to pay prices established by a middleman, the GRTU said.