Thursday, 17th July 2008 - 12:40CET
Six organisations file protest against transport federation
The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA), the Federated Association of Travel and Tourism Agents (FATTA), the Federation of English Language Teaching Organisations Malta (FELTOM), Malta International Airport plc., Air Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority today filed a judicial protest holding the presidents, vice presidents and committee members of the Public Transport Association, White Taxis Amalgamated, Mini Buses Co-Operative and Gozo Bus Owners Association holding them personally liable for any costs incurred and damages suffered as a result of the transport strike.
The right was reserved to lay claims against individuals directly similarly causing such damages.
The six organisations said they held the perpetrators involved in the illegal activities of the past week personally liable and responsible for any costs being incurred and any future damages incurred as a result of these actions.
The organisations in a statement said it was totally unacceptable that a few law-breaking individuals could attempt to take control of strategic areas such as the airport, sea terminal and main roads. They pledged the government their full support in any action that needs to be taken to bring matters back to normality and to avoid any similar actions from being taken in the future.
The protest was signed by Prof. Ian Refalo, Dr Hugh Peralta and Dr Mark Refalo
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Comments
Lee everybody has a right to strike. No one has the right to commit violence. Also just what exactly are these people striking about????
They are striking cause they are seeing their impunity at risk of disappearing. That impunity which makes them get away with murder!!!! Their king of the road status is under threat!!
Now is the time to reign in these thugs!
Everybody has the right to strike but nobody has the right to block roads and main Arteries.
Nor do they have the right to intimidate and to punch people and to not let tourists get to the airport for their flights.
This went beond any boundery and now they will pay the price.
Don't these drivers realize that their livelihood is derived from tourism??
Jaqtghu mniehirhom biex jinku lill wicchom
Saying that we all have the right to have our voices heard is fair enough (I fully agree as I am not one to stay quiet); but what these *people* are doing is not "having their voice heard" it is rioting. They have practically ruined Malta's relationship with tourists and, for that, the country will likely suffer. Malta has so much to offer historically and after the last few days I HIGHLY doubt that most tourists will come back. Most may write to their OWN tourist authorities about this shameful behaviour of our public transport authorities. I can safely say I will not feel safe on public transport anymore after this incident and I hope that the Government does all they can to lead us back to normality in the VERY near future!
"The organisations in a statement said it was totally unacceptable that a few law-breaking individuals could attempt to take control of strategic areas such as the airport, sea terminal and main roads."
That was not part of the strike. the law only gives them the right to stop their service but not to block roads and prevent other workers from going to work.
Being sued by a number of affected sectors of the Maltese Industry, mainly the tourism one, does not make our country a dictatorate. If the ATP member practiced their right to strike with a peacful demonstration on foot or a sit in strike at home without offering their services, no one would have had the right to sue them, ...HOWEVER, the cases have been subjected due to the inconveniences caused by the behaviour we've seen in the past days. No strike in a civilised, democratic country should resolve to the blockage of main roads and airport to the detriment of the people's lives and the country's image and main source of income- tourism. So for all of the above mentioned reason, the protests are only in the public's and the country's interests.
They did not just strike but created anarchy. They have the right to strike but not close roads and stop other workers, tourists etc... from reaching their destination by other means of transportation