The General Workers’ Union and the Għaqda Imprendituri Maltin, an organisation for self-employed, are setting up a joint action committee to look into the repercussions of the ongoing open market reform on hawkers.

A consultation process was launched last month on the reorganisation of open markets through which government intends to transfer the day-to-day administration of markets to local councils.

There are 14 open markets in Malta and Gozo with 1,670 stall places. The reform aims to generate greater product diversity in the markets and improve the location, size and appearance of stalls.

In a joint statement yesterday, the GWU and the self-employed organisation said hawkers had expressed concern over how this reform would impact theirbusiness.

The two organisations decided to get together to ensure that hawkers’ rights were safeguarded, and set up the joint action committee.

The committee’s first meeting will be held on Thursday atthe GWU’s Memorial Building in Valletta at 4.30 p.m.