Updated 7.45 p.m. Adds Wastserv announcement of meeting held today -

The GRTU has hit out at Wasteserv (Malta) for deciding to implement an increase in landfill fees as of June 1, despite the fact that no agreement with stakeholders has been reached.

"It is truly a sad day for the words ‘consultation and dialogue'," the chamber said.

It said it had been awaiting feedback from the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs since April 8, when the issue was last discussed.

The GRTU said that Wasteserv was the scapegoat in this affair and understandably it could not move on unless it received the funds required to operate landfills. It said it had recommended a number of ways to approach this increase in a more holistic manner.

"It seems that this sector ‘taz-zibel' is being treated like ‘taz-zibel' in the true sense of the word. Whilst other sectors have been given millions of liri, this sector has been overwhelmed by a monopoly by the name of Wasteserv that has year after year taken away all EU funding which was truly directed for private industry to restructure itself accordingly. There are 16 more days to the end of the month. We truly hope discussions are stepped up and a solution is found. Another Naples should not be the order of the day..." the GRTU warned.

The reference to Naples was a strike lasting several days which left the Italian city with mounds of rubbish in the streets.

WASTESERV REACTION

Wasteserv in a reaction to the GRTU comments, said that another meeting with the GRTU was held today. "Proposals were presented for consideration prior to the next meeting in a relentless effort to identify potential solutions for a way forward on the remaining outstanding issues,’ Wasteserv said.