Press Release: SME Chamber calls for strengthened trust and governance in Inquiries Reform
13 February 2025
The Malta Chamber of SMEs acknowledges the need for legal improvements in the proposed inquiries...
Hopes of opening on the 10th February destroyed by bureaucracy
07 February 2012
Following last year's controversy on the opening of shops on public holidays that fall close to special occasions which are deemed to be very important shopping days, where the GRTU strongly advocated for the outlets to be given the opportunity to open without the legal obligation to pay €700 euro's per shop, there seemed to be an agreed commitment by Government that during 2012 the issue would have been managed over a whole year basis.
The GRTU therefore presented its request, which is simply a formality as bureaucrats also have access to calendars so the exercise could be done automatically really. Now we are informed that in spite of last year's commitment, Government still has failed to decided in time to liberate the 10th of February, an important shopping day in view of Valentines Day.
The GRTU therefore regretfully informs all shops who had planned to open on 10th February that they may have to incur the extra charge if they are not already exempt as Government has refused GRTU's request on behalf of all retailers who wished to open.
We are told Government is still deciding on the other four days which the GRTU has presented.
