Valletta businessmen complain of loss of trade

The business community in Valletta expressed concern at the loss of business every time a demonstration is held in the capital.

A case in point was last Tuesday's demonstration by the General Workers' Union which forced a large number of businesses there to keep their shops closed in the afternoon.

An angry shop owner said that events such as visits by important foreign visitors to Valletta - which also paralyse the city and disrupt business - are tolerated but the same could not be said for other events, which could be organised on more convenient days or elsewhere.

"It's pointless to open because who would go to Valletta to do shopping when such manifestations are taking place," one shop owner asked.

Charles Borg, speaking on behalf of the GRTU - Malta Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises, said the argument was not against the holding of such demonstrations or their aim but over the disruption of business.

One owner of some establishments which closed on Tuesday sent his employees home on forced leave.

Perhaps the organisers of such activities could consider holding them on a Sunday, when the shops were closed, or outside the city on weekdays, such as on the Granaries, in Floriana, another shop owner suggested.

To make matters more complicated for the business sector in Valletta, apart from the demonstration on Tuesday, there was a public meeting by former prime minister Dom Mintoff in City Gate before the start of the GWU activity.

Shop owners said this meant that parking in Freedom Square was further restricted. Freedom Square was just one of the various sites where parking was banned throughout Tuesday.