The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Enterprise yesterday said it was "exasperated" by the government's inability to implement a 2005 Legal Notice published in 2005 concerning eco-contributions.
"The eco-contribution has been constantly mishandled matter ever since it was introduced. The Malta Chamber is disappointed that after numerous meetings with the Minister of Finance, the Economy and Investment, and even with the Prime Minister, the pending issues remain unresolved. The Malta Chamber is left with no choice but to conclude that this government is paralysed and is not able to implement its own laws," it said in a hard-hitting statement.
The Chamber said that after five years of delay, a Legal Notice to regulate the issuing of exemptions from eco-contribution was published on February 16. However, it said, the government has been found lacking in its preparedness to implement this Legal Notice because it was published without the backing of complementary regulation and yet, yesterday marked another deadline for the payment of the eco-contribution by companies.
"Since last February, eligible companies are not able to benefit from such exemptions because the necessary administrative arrangements have still not been put into place. The application process to qualify for exemptions has as yet not been communicated except the recent setting up of an Approving Body. This is totally unacceptable," the Chamber said.
It said the government can no longer tell the law-abiding business community to wait for the exemption that is rightfully theirs at law.
"This is costing dearly to the companies in question, the economy and the environment. In the process, until it is convenient for the government to implement the law and bring its house in order, legitimate companies have to incur extra costs and double payments of eco-contribution plus the relevant expenses to participate in private waste management schemes which participation is required by law," it said.
The government can no longer expect law-abiding businesses to operate and compete while incuring and paying these double costs, the Chamber said.
"Out of fairness to law-abiding companies, the Malta Chamber insists that the law that has been published is implemented forthwith and in its entirety.
"If the government has no interest in implementing its own laws then it should inform the business community immediately so that each company can take the appropriate actions within the parameters of the law," the Chamber said.