Monti hawkers settling down amid grumbling

The relocation of the Valletta Monti has stirred a hornet's nest, leaving one union, an organisation representing small businesses, and dozens of hawkers upset - plus an exasperated ministry looking on.

While the hawkers and the Union Haddiema Maghqudin, representing their cause, are lamenting the logistics, the Malta Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU yesterday entered the fray complaining of foolery in the capital city and threatening to take action.

The confusion started on Monday when the hawkers moved to their permanent location in Merchants Street and missed a day's work because they said the area resembled a building site.

Not willing to continue losing business, the hawkers yesterday set up their stalls, hopeful their concerns would be addressed in a meeting scheduled for today between the union and the Investments Ministry.

There was still a lot of grumbling yesterday as The Times toured the market, which is now placed in front of the indoor market, Is-Suq.

The majority of those who commented expressed the insecurity they felt at the fact that people were still getting used to their new spot, and setting up in the morning had led to a lot of bickering and delays.

Alfred Xuereb said arguments arose when those who got there early blocked the area with their vehicles, preventing others from moving forward.

"There has been a lot of confusion. I was here at 5.40 a.m. and didn't set up until 9 a.m. Normally, I would drive in at 7.15 a.m. and by 8 a.m. the stall would be up. I'm also disappointed at the amount of dust there still is," he said.

Charles Difesa, 37, complained about his spot next to the indoor market, which he felt hindered his business.

"I had a better spot before, now I'm stuck here for the rest of my life. Nobody has bought anything all day, whereas usually I would have sold about Lm100 worth of clothes. I have two children to feed," he said.

A couple, who sells accessories and did not wish to be named, were upset they had been shifted towards the bottom of Merchants Street, when they had held one of the best spots at the top for 18 years.

"I have lost three quarters of my business. I swear to you that all I sold today adds up to just Lm2. That's it! If nothing changes I'll set up my stall at the top and they can arrest me if they like," the man said.

Others commented that the allocation of each stall should have been chosen by ballot because they felt a small clique were being favoured.

However, the agreement signed between the government and the UHM indicates where each numbered stall will be set up according to established specifications.

Contacted yesterday, UHM general secretary Gejtu Vella expressed the hope of resolving all the logistical difficulties in today's meeting.

"At no stage did the union say the hawkers should not move to the new site. We have never dishonoured the agreement. What we are saying is let's have a real constructive debate," he said.

The ministry expressed satisfaction that the hawkers had set up their stalls and reiterated its commitment to keep an open dialogue to help the hawkers in their business activity.

Meanwhile, as the dust seemed to settle on this matter, the GRTU came out bemoaning the "absurd" situation where hawkers were allowed to park their cars for free in St George Square, in front of the President's Palace.

It said it could not fathom how the hawkers were allowed to park their vans and commercial equipment, with protruding poles and canopies, in such a prime site and during peak shopping hours.

"This is foolery in a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen. Today, apart from the MPs and permanent secretaries, the hawkers are the only people privileged enough to have free parking in the capital city," it said.

On the other hand, shop owners, restaurateurs and those who run their business in the city had no such privilege and had to pay parking rates like everybody else.

It threatened the government that if it did not stop "ridiculing itself" the GRTU would withdraw its support on the plan for Valletta and direct its members to stop paying the CVA parking charges as well as their shop licences.

In reply, the ministry agreed that the parking area chosen in St George Square may not be appropriate and should be avoided, but it pointed out that the GRTU had all the legal notices in hand, which approved the hawkers' exemption from paying.

The hawkers' nature of work required them to have their vans close by, it added.

The government appreciated the GRTU's support in the reforms being introduced in Valletta but it was mistaken to throw all this away because of "its own oversight".

"The government is convinced that even in this case, solutions can also be found so that the commercial operators can operate without any obstacles," it said.