The Malta Hotels and Restaurants' Association has, for the second time in 24 hours, complained over government inaction on cleanliness.

It said in a statement that immediate and decisive action was needed with regards to the cleaning of public areas in tourist zones around Malta and Gozo.

A delegation from the association also complained about cleanliness during a meeting with Opposition leader Joseph Muscat yesterday.

"It has become increasingly apparent in many key locations such as Paceville, Sliema front and Bugibba, as well as our beaches, that basic public cleaning services such as the removal of litter, emptying of bins and ground washing has become virtually non-existent. These and other popular areas are now suffering badly and are in a pitiful state reminiscent of a third world country rather than a modern European state," the association said.

"It is deplorable to stroll along our prime sites and promenades only to be faced by littered streets, overflowing bins, rampant weeds, broken pavements, gravel, dust and general filth, in the height of the summer season.

"The responsible parties appointed specifically for these tasks and paid through public funds must be held accountable for their gross inefficiencies and negligence. This is nothing short of a disservice to our entire population and a squandering of taxpayers' money."

It said the government had imposed vast sweeping rules on virtually every field of the private sector, in an attempt to improve standards and quality.

"Hefty fines, loss of licenses and other harsh repercussions are faced by defaulters who fail to comply with these many government induced obligations. But what is government doing to get their own house in order? What internal control measures, productivity checks and enforcement are being practised within their own ranks, leading to decisive disciplinary action with all those who disregard their assigned duties? The many new taxes and contributions being imposed by the authorities, together with constant increases in existing ones, surely should result in the visible improvement of our country's public areas and not in their constant deterioration."

"Without rules and regulations we would live in a very chaotic world. However, unless these same regulations are backed up by a fair, unbiased, regular and uniform approach with regards to enforcement, their effect will result in a counter-productive situation to the detriment of all," the association said.