Kerosene hawkers saved from threat of extinction

Kerosene hawkers have been saved by the bell following an agreement reached between the Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprise - GRTU, the Malta Resources Authority and Enemalta Corporation.

There are about 18 kerosene hawkers left and the hike in the price of kerosene in the last budget sounded like a death knell for most of them.

But under the agreement they are now allowed to also sell diesel and light fuel oil in addition to kerosene. They may sell fuels for use in plant and equipment but are forbidden from selling fuel for any type of road transport, directly or via end-use arrangements or to petrol stations.

GRTU director general Vince Farrugia said the government had made "a big mistake" when raising the price of kerosene so as to curb abuse. He argued that the figures the government was given on the domestic use of kerosene were "completely incorrect".

"Had we been consulted, we could have given the government detailed records of domestic sales of kerosene. Many houses have central heating systems that run on it. People today no longer raise children in cold houses, huddled around one heater. Many people have central heating systems they keep turned on throughout winter. But the cost of kerosene has made that prohibitive.

"I consider this increase as the ugly face of bureaucracy," Mr Farrugia said.