The public transport strike led to condemnations from various quarters, all of them supporting liberalisation, that rallied behind the government in its decision to stand strong.
General Workers' Union
The General Workers' Union said yesterday that while the right to strike was sacrosanct and should in no way be undermined, no one should resort to tantrums while the needs of the people are ignored.
Reacting to the strike by the transport operators, the GWU said the two sides ought to agree on a complete reform of the service, which will enhance efficiency so that the consumer will enjoy the use of the service while the owners will continue to get a decent income.
The union said it was prepared to assist in the search for a solution if the two sides agree to discuss the matter without any prior conditions being set.
Alternattiva Demokratika
AD chairman Arnold Cassola appealed to the authorities to get all stakeholders around a table and discuss a plan to phase out monopolies in the sector.
He said that those who had the huge advantage of operating in what amounted to a legally-sanctioned cartel should realise they could not expect the public to accept this state of affairs to continue.
Prof. Cassola condemned the intimidation and incidents: "Blocking roads, banging on coaches, breaking windscreens, threatening drivers and swearing at other operators is absolutely unacceptable".
"While transport workers have every right to strike, the threatening behaviour of some transport workers is to be condemned. Violence and bullying do not pay and these actions will only backfire on whoever perpetrates them," he said.
Azzjoni Nazzjonali
AN said it was in favour of liberalisation because protectionism and monopolies invariably translated into a substandard service and higher costs for the consumer and taxpayer.
However, the liberalisation had to be done gradually "and the people afflicted, who also happen to have families to feed, should be given adequate time and assistance to adjust to the new market realities".
AN strongly condemned the violence and the "thuggish behaviour perpetuated by a section of those on strike" and urged the police to bring these persons to account.
Friends of the Earth (Malta)
The environmental movement deplored the violence and "illegalities" which occurred during the transport strike protests and said the government had to tackle the national transport problems that had been left to fester for decades.
"Malta needs an integrated plan designed to improve the efficiency and reliability of transport methods giving due consideration to social and environmental impacts," it said.
The public deserved a public transport service that suited their needs and not the needs of those who ran a private monopoly, which exploited taxpayers' money, the movement said.
Institute of Maltese Journalists
The IĠM strongly condemned the violent assaults on various members of the media on Monday who were doing their jobs during the strike by the Transport Federation.
In one incident, Net TV cameraman Joe Francalanza was punched in the face as he filmed drivers attacking a coach picking up tourists while a PBS cameraman was physically assaulted while filming incidents at Floriana.
IĠM chairman Malcolm J. Naudi called on the police and the authorities to provide protection to journalists who were carrying out their profession without fear or favour.
"Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Maltese journalists are assaulted while doing their duty in what has become a catalogue of shame over the past few years," he said.
Malta Transport Reform Action Group
The group, set up in the wake of the "shameful protest" organised by the Transport Federation, had 1,000 people joining it on its online platform on Facebook in just 24 hours.
It condemned the acts of intimidation and said nobody was above the law and the authorities should tow all the vehicles parked in the middle of the road and fine the owners.