Talks over compensation for suffering Valletta businesses

Discussions are under way between the Chamber for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises – GRTU and the Finance Ministry to find a way to make up for the losses suffered by businesses because of the ongoing works in Valletta.

Addressing businessmen at a meeting at the GRTU offices in Valletta yesterday, director general Vince Farrugia said the GRTU was also in the process of drawing up a plan to help businesses that found themselves in financial difficulty because of the works.

“The government has already accepted the principle that a compensation mechanism must be set up to make up for long-term losses, as had already been done in the past,” said Mr Farrugia.

This followed a separate meeting with the Infrastructure Ministry earlier in the day, during which the GRTU complained of lack of consultation between the two parties when the projects kicked-off.

“With the works ongoing, the government cannot ignore the effect of road closures and other problems caused by construction, which drastically affect shops’ incomes, from which employees’ wages and other expenses need to be paid,” Mr Farrugia said during the meeting.