Small Business Minister Chris Cardona has nothing to say about pleas by Sunday monti hawkers to return to Valletta.

Questions sent to Dr Cardona last month remained unanswered and a spokeswoman said the ministry had no comment to make on the matter at this point.

Hawkers at the Blata l-Bajda site say the government has “forgotten” them.

The hawkers, who used to set up their stalls at St James Ditch, outside the capital, were “temporarily” moved to the Blata l-Bajda park and ride facility back in 2011 when construction works started on the City Gate project, including the new bus terminus.

“We deserve to be moved back to Valletta because this site is killing our business. This was even discussed before the election and we will not be sidelined any longer,” veteran hawker Mario Bonnici told the Times of Malta.

He was one of several hawkers at the Balata l-Bajda site who were wondering why had the government “forgotten” them.

We deserve to be moved back to Valletta because this site is killing our business

Their calls to move back to their usual place follows a similar appeal by hawkers who ply their trade on a daily basis and who are lobbying to set up their stalls at the upper part of Merchants Street, in Valletta.

They were “temporarily” moved further down Merchant’s Street when renovation works were carried out at the back of the President’s Palace. The plans were for them to return to the area between Is-Suq l-Antik, the old indoor market and the back entrance of the President’s Palace, once the works were completed. However, they have been lobbying for the government to allow them back permanently along the popular commercial road.

Shop owners in Merchants Street have strongly objected to the idea, insisting this would cause “serious damage” to their businesses. The business community there has even initiated legal action against the government in a bid to freeze the move. Businesses representative Tonio Camilleri said a decision by the court was expected in the coming days.

He said the business community representatives had still not met with Dr Cardona who preferred to wait for the court’s decision before embarking on any talks on the matter.

“This move isn’t acceptable to us and we eagerly await the court’s decision. An alternative solution can be found,” Mr Camilleri said.