The GRTU complained today that commercial vehicle licences for businesses have gone up 'excessively' and without consultation.
The increases came into force on January 1. Some of the increases are more than 300 per cent and in many cases came as a surprise, the association said.
Transport Malta had told the association that the increases were announced in the 2009 Budget but the GRTU said it was never informed or consulted and the increases had been brought into force without any impact assessment.
It said the increases were discriminatory against small businesses and did not apply to areas such as buses.
It urged the government to provide a solution, and warned that the increases would affect consumers.
Giving some examples of the increases, the GRTU said the licence for a Tractor Unit, ERF, model EC11 1998 had risen by 61% to €1,129.
The licence for a ForkLifter, TCM has risen by €113 to €298.
The licence for a van Transit 1987 was up by €113 to €298.
For a crane, CRUPP 1994, the increase was of €636 to €821.