Shops allowed to open on public holidays

Shops can now open for business this Saturday, Freedom Day, and almost every other public holiday, without having to pay a fee. The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, GRTU, yesterday said the government had upheld its request to allow shops to...

Shops can now open for business this Saturday, Freedom Day, and almost every other public holiday, without having to pay a fee.

The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, GRTU, yesterday said the government had upheld its request to allow shops to open for business on those days without having to pay the €700 special licence.

Shop owners will decide for themselves whether to open on April 8 (Easter), May 1 (Labour Day), June 7, June 29 (Mnarja), September 8 (Victory Day) and September 21 (Independence Day). They can also open on February 10 (St Paul’s), carnival Sunday and March 19 (St Joseph) next year.

The GRTU has consistently lobbied for shops to be allowed to trade on several public holidays, insisting shop owners should be free to decide whether or not to open while respecting Maltese traditions such as Good Friday and Christmas Day.

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