'No more talks on final site'

The government yesterday ruled out further discussions on the final location of the Monti, the open-air market in Valletta.

This was stated by the Ministry for Investment after another meeting with the Union Haddiema Maghqudin representing the 120 odd hawkers failed to achieve a breakthrough.

The meeting led by Minister Austin Gatt discussed the government's proposal of a new permanent site for the market.

The site is in Merchants Street, between Old Theatre Street and Archbishop Street. The 'old' part of the Monti along Old Theatre Street is to be retained.

Meanwhile, the hawkers have occupied Freedom Square since Monday night taking over the open space with vans and stall frames.

The union representatives were given a copy of the plan which was certified by architects from the department of roads at the Ministry of Tourism.

According to the government, the plan fits the needs of the open-air market with the same accessibility for the hawkers' vehicles as they had in the 'old' site in Merchants Street.

As an incentive to broker an agreement, the government offered that if the hawkers agreed to be relocated to the new site, the government would permit the open-air market at Freedom Square until the proposed final site is resurfaced.

Although the government said it will keep its door open for further discussions, it made it amply clear that it was not prepared to enter into talks on where the Monti is to be relocated.

The government noted that the revamp of Valletta would lead to greater commercial activity that would benefit all the commercial operators in the city including the hawkers.

The government noted with displeasure that the hawkers did not seem to appreciate this.

When contacted, UHM secretary general Gejtu Vella, said the plan presented to the union today included red lines that cannot be crossed, lines that were not included in the plans which were discussed on Monday.

"We feel that the hawkers should not have been moved from their locations while negotiations were going on.

"While the government is prepared to allow hawkers the use of Freedom Square during the embellishment of Merchants Street, why aren't they allowed to operate from Freedom Square while the talks are going on?

"We cannot understand how this location is being used as leverage to push the government's side of the argument," Mr Vella said.

This is causing undue pressure on everyone concerned, particularly the hawkers who are being deprived of earning a living.

The UHM, Mr Vella added, was prepared to carry on with the talks. Goodwill will see to a solution that will benefit all the stakeholders.

The hawkers swarmed to Freedom Square in Valletta on Monday evening and spent the night there in protest at the proposed relocation of their stalls while Merchants Street is being upgraded.

Drum-rolls greeted shoppers, commuters and tourists entering the city yesterday morning.

Two hawkers sporting sombreros - one of whom had a hand-written message reading "penny for the poor" taped to her chest - collected 'alms' in a wicker basket.

The hawkers have been arguing that they should be permitted to set up shop in Freedom Square while works are underway in Merchants Street.

Attempts, on the instructions of the Union Haddiema Maghudin which represents the hawkers, to set up in Freedom Square on Monday night were stopped by police.

As a result of the dispute, there was no open-air market in the city for the eighth day running.

The hawkers have been resisting a temporary move to St James Ditch, just outside Valletta. They are also against their permanent places being moved further down Merchants Street and have stressed they should return to their former places once paving works there are finished.

During a marathon set of meetings on Monday, the Prime Minister said he would discuss an alternative temporary location once an agreement on the permanent relocation was reached.

According to a government statement, the two parties were close to an agreement during Monday's meeting, but the UHM refused to confirm an appointment to continue with the discussions yesterday morning.

Meanwhile, the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU, expressed concern that it is not being involved in the discussions.

In a letter to Investments Minister Austin Gatt, GRTU general director Vince Farrugia said the shops in Merchants Street have long been suffering losses because of the market.

"The stalls are much bigger than the established limits and make access to people wanting to go into shops difficult."

The lack of accessibility, he added, was leading many to give up shopping in Merchants Street.

The stalls' general appearance and the products for sale spoilt the aesthetic value of Merchants Street, giving an impression of mediocrity, Mr Farrugia pointed out.