Retailers advised to ignore euro changeover officials

The Malta Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU has advised members to ignore any letters they may receive on prices from any authority regarding the euro changeover and also to ignore any National Euro Changeover Committee official who approaches them on the subject.

It has also advised members to communicate with the GRTU if they have any problems.

The association said that if any authority continued to try and damage business, it would have no choice but to issue directives to protect its interests.

The GRTU expressed concern at the "attitude" of the Necc officials responsible for the euro changeover: "They have adopted an arrogance that would certainly lead to problems," it said.

"It now appears they think they are the reincarnation of the old system of having watchmen over consumers."

The officials had to realise that no one had the right or the power to oblige a shop or a business to sell its products at a price established by the authorities, it said.

The office appointed to see that competition in the country was functioning well was that responsible for fair competition and not the Necc, the GRTU insisted.

It was no longer possible that a sector that is fundamental to this process continues to be ignored, it added.

Necc had no comment to make about the GRTU's statement.