The Small Business Act was supposed to be a milestone and proof of a pro-business attitude.

Yet, on two occasions, the government completely ignored this and rode roughshod on the very principles of the law enacting. Talk of dialogue with all stakeholders, professional reports and consultations were thrown out of the window.

The two instances were when the tourism eco tax issue landed up in court and the government threatened to sue the stake-holders who dared oppose itand when a legal notice governing billboards was issued, targeting the Nationalist Party butvictimising a whole business community.

Time has proved the government is only pro-business with the few and, preferably, foreigners.

The Small Business Act affects the cost base of business, normally the self-employed or SMEs. Abruptly raising fees can disrupt a market and turn a level playing field into uneven ground.

Such instability, such half-baked legal notices that are forced through with MPs voting on party lines, show gross immaturity and a lack of vision for the sector. It would pay for a company or an individual to resort to illegalities rather than keep within the legal framework.

The legal notices had provisions that were not part of Labour’s electoral promises or road map. If there was any dialogue with stakeholders it was done very unwillingly and, possibly, to change what had to be amended. My asking to stop this practice has fallen on the government’s deaf ears.

Proposals made by the Opposition are deemed to be negative. The self-employed and SMEs do not normally ask for help but they do not expect any interference from unprepared government ministers either.

Again, I ask the government to realise the spirit behind the Small Business Act and to enter into a proper dialogue with the sector.