IL Messagg tal-GRTU ghas-sena gdida 2006

L-esperti kollha mqabbda mill-GRTU u l-korpi kostitwiti kollha qabblu li l-ewwel sentejn tas-shubija fl-Unjoni Ewropeja ser ikunu ibsin ghal hafna intraprizi u negozji Maltin hekk kif l-ekonomija Maltija tirristruttura u tirrialloka ir-rizorsi taghha biex tikkompeti ahjar f’suq wiehed Ewropew. Li hadd mis-sidien tan-negozji u l-intraprizi Maltin ma kien stenna li l-Gvern u l-Awtoritajiet, flok li jkunu favur in-negozji u favur l-intrapriza halli dawn jerfghu l-piz kbir tar-ristrutturar bla tbaghtija zejda, bil-maqlub jkunu aktar mohhhom biex jimponu regolamenti u burokrazziji zejda bla kaz ta’ xejn tal-hsara li dawn il-pizijiet godda jkunu qed jaghmlu lill-intraprizi zghar ta’ pajjizna.

L-esperti kollha mqabbda mill-GRTU u l-korpi kostitwiti kollha qabblu li l-ewwel sentejn tas-shubija fl-Unjoni Ewropeja ser ikunu ibsin ghal hafna intraprizi u negozji Maltin hekk kif l-ekonomija Maltija tirristruttura u tirrialloka ir-rizorsi taghha biex tikkompeti ahjar f’suq wiehed Ewropew. Li hadd mis-sidien tan-negozji u l-intraprizi Maltin ma kien stenna li l-Gvern u l-Awtoritajiet, flok li jkunu favur in-negozji u favur l-intrapriza halli dawn jerfghu l-piz kbir tar-ristrutturar bla tbaghtija zejda, bil-maqlub jkunu aktar mohhhom biex jimponu regolamenti u burokrazziji zejda bla kaz ta’ xejn tal-hsara li dawn il-pizijiet godda jkunu qed jaghmlu lill-intraprizi zghar ta’ pajjizna.

Ir-rizultat ta’ din il-politika zbaljata li haddmu b’entuzjazmu certi Ministri u Awtoritajiet, kien li llum ftit huma s-sidien tal-intraprizi u negozji li qed iharsu ‘l quddiem b’entuzjazmu. L-isfortuna hi li r-ristrutturar qed isir u r-riallokazzjoni tar-rizorsi qed issir u Malta ser tirnexxilha issir aktar kompetittiva, izda dan mhux grazzi ghal min xogholu kien li jtaffi l-pizijiet u jaghmilha facli ghall-intraprizi Maltin li jfendu u jikkompetu, izda grazzi ghall-isforzi u l-investimenti kbar tas-sidien tan-negozji u intraprizi Maltin li kontra kull kurrent baqghu jahdmu, jhaddmu u jinvestu.

Issa l-GRTU f’isem in-negozji u intraprizi Maltin tistenna li l-Gvern u l-Awtoritajiet fl-2006 jistembhu b’sabta u jpoggu l-intraprizi Maltin l-ewwel. L-ekonomijia Maltija ma tikbirx u l-budget deficit ma jitfejjaqx u l-impjieg gdid ma jinholoqx, jekk ghal Gvern u l-Awtoritajiet fl-2006 l-intrapriza ma tigix l-ewwel.

Dan hu l-messagg car tal-GRTU: l-ekonomija l-ewwel bl-intrapriza quddiem. Jekk l-2006 tkun sen’ ohra ta’ politika “regulation driven” u mhux “enterprise driven”, iz-zminijiet tajbin li issa bi dritt il-poplu Malti jistenna jergghu ghal darb’ ohra jintilfu. L-Awguri tal-GRTU hi li l-Prim Ministru jizgura li madwaru u f’kull Awtorita’, min imexxi jahseb b’sens ta’ intrapriza u mhux biss b’sens ta’ regolamentazzjoni u pizijiet. L-2006 trid tara l-bidla mill-paroli ghall-fatti.

Il-GRTU twiegeb lill-GWU u lis-Segretarju Generali Tony Zarb

· Il-Kredibilita tal-GRTU u tad-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia
· Il-GRTU twiegeb lill-GWU u lis-Segretarju Generali Tony Zarb

Il-GWU permezz tas-Segretarju Generali taghha Tony Zarb iddecidiet li tiftah attakk kontra kull organizazzjoni nazzjonali membru tal-MCESD. Tony Zarb ghazel wkoll li jattakka b’mod partikulari lill-GRTU u lid-Direttur Generali taghha, Vince Farrugia. Skond Tony Zarb l-GRTU u d-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia dawn mhux kredibbli ghax kuntrarjament ghall dak li taghmel l-GWU u s-Segretarju Generali Tony Zarb ma jattakkawx lill-gvern kontinwament hi x’inhi l-kwistjoni.

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Il-GRTU u l-kelliem ewlieni taghha Vincent Farrugia jikkummentaw fuq dak kollu li jolqot lis-sidien tan-negozji u s-self employed kas b’kas. Jikkumentaw fuq bazi ta’ konsistenza wahda: il-gid tas-settur rapprezentat mill-GRTU. Dan ma jkunx imhares billi ssir hsara lil pajjiz, u billi tinzera l-isfiducja tal-konsumaturi fil-gejjieni ekonomiku ta’ pajjizna kif qed taghmel il-GWU u s-segretarju generali taghha bl-attakki ingusti fuq l-imsiehba l-ohra tal-MCESD.

Fejn il-gvern u l-awtoritajiet jikkonsultaw u jiehdu decizjonijiet ghaqlija l-GRTU ma tiddejjaqx tfahhar u tghid prosit. Fejn il-gvern ikun arroganti u jimponi bla konsultazzjoni u ftehim il-GRTU ma tiddejjaqx tikkritika u tikkundanna. Il-GRTU lanqas ma tiddejjaq tiehu azzjoni fejn ikun hemm htiega. Izda mhux azzjoni skond xi agenda sigrieta. Il-GRTU u d-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia m’ghandhomx agenda sigrieta. Kas car hu kif tkellmet il-GRTU dwar is-Sea Malta u dwar il-kwistjoni tat-tariffi tad-dawl, ilma u fuels.

Il-GRTU tghid li l-gvern zbalja bl-ikrah dwar il-kwistjoni tad-dawl, ilma u fuels u qed thedded lil gvern li tiehu azzjoni ta’ protesta permezz tat-trasportaturi u distributuri jekk il-gvern ma jfittix li jpoggi madwar il-mejda u jikkoregi l-izbalji kbar li ghamel bis-soluzzjoni ingusta li mpona. Il-GRTU resqet il-kas quddiem il-Kummissjoni Ewropea u fil-granet li gejjien ser tibda proceduri legali kontra l-Enemalta fejn l-Enemalta ser tinzamm responsabbli ghad-danni li qed isoffru n-negozji milquta hazin bl-imposizzjoni ta’ tariffi tad-dawl u fuels li huma bi ksur tad-Direttivi Ewropej. Ghall-GRTU fejn hemm l-alternattiva tad-diskussjoni, rapprezentazzjoni u azzjoni legali, taghzel dawn qabel azzjoni li jkollha impatt negattiv fuq il-kummerc. Ghalhekk li l-GRTU ikkritikat l-azzjonijiet tal-GWU ghax dawn mhu qed igibu xejn hlief inkwiet u aktar tkissir tal-fiducja baxxa li ghandhom il-konsumaturi f’perjodi tal-Milied tant importanti ghall-kummercjanti.

Dwar is-Sea Malta l-GRTU hi sodisfatta bil-mod li mexa l-Ministru Austin Gatt u l-kumpanija Grimaldi u tqies li d-decizjonijiet li ttiehdu huma l-ahjar fic-cirkustanzi u jawguraw tajjeb ghall-futur tal-ekonomija Maltija.

Il-GRTU u d-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia jibnu il-kredibilita taghhom billi jkunu konsistentament favur is-sewwa u l-haqq ghas-settur li jirraprezentaw u fl-ahjar interess tal-ekonomija Maltija u l-koezjoni socjali ta’ pajjizna.

 

GRTU Requests Compensation

GRTU requests compensation for businesses who suffered losses caused by the imposition of traffic arrangements caused by the CHOGM organisers.

GRTU contends that these arrangements were imposed irrispective of the damage and business loss caused to many private business outlets.

Hon Prime Minister,

GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises recognized from the very beginning that the Commonwealth Summit would give a great opportunity to Malta to present its economic commercial, financial as well as its touristic and logistic potential to a very wide international audience. GRTU gave its full support to this initiative and encouraged its members and the sectors it represents to give their maximum endeavour to ensure the greatest success.

We take this opportunity to congratulate all those who have worked to make this event a success. We participated fully in the Commonwealth Business Forum and we are very satisfied with the way this Conference was organized. Our only regret is that too few Maltese businesspersons realized the potential of this important encounter and how important it is for Maltese entrepreneurs, large and small, to seek opportunities beyond the limited confines of the Maltese internal market.

Allow us, however to make one important complaint. GRTU, feels extremely aggrieved at the grossly unjust way that traders and entrepreneurs in general were treated by the authorities when it came to traffic arrangements. The arrangements were made without consultations with GRTU and often in complete disregard of the financial and commercial negative impact certain decisions were leaving on many businesses. Supporting a national event of importance is one thing, but causing entrepreneurs to suffer excessive losses unnecessarily is something else, especially when many situations could have been remedied. It is with regret that we tell you that the complete lack of consultation on traffic arrangements with GRTU as representative of businesses in the localities was a tremendous mistake and once again the system exhibited an absolutism that should have been buried together with our colonial past. Security should not be used as an excuse irrespective of the financial loss that private investors are made to suffer.

GRTU now requests Government to seek a fair remedy. Government should vote funds for the compensation of losses suffered through the imposition of bureaucratic decisions caused by CHOGM. The event was advantageous to the community at large, but individuals should not be made to carry a disproportionate burden simply because they fell victims of bureaucratic imposition. Your Government and Party adhere strongly to this principle. Kindly now put this in action in this particular circumstance.

As soon as the principle is accepted and the procedures for execution discussed and agreed with us, GRTU will present to you the claims of our members who have suffered unacceptable losses due to the arrangements, justified or not, imposed by others on them.

We thank you.

Il-GRTU u l-Ghaqdiet Nazzjonali tat-Trasportaturi Jipprotestaw biex il-Gvern Jirrimedja

Il-problema tal-gvern fejn jidhlu l-prezzijiet tad-diesel u tat-tariffi tal-elettriku hi gravi. Dan ghaliex l-gvern mhux jifhem li hu zbalja fil-mod kif xtara z-zjut minn barra, zbalja bl-ikrah meta qabad u fassal metodu kif jistabbilixxi l-prezz tad-diesel u fuels ohra essenzjali ghall-kumerc, l-industrija u t-turizmu bla ebda konsultazzjoni mall-korpi kostitwiti li jirraprezentaw lill-intraprizi f’kull qasam ekonomiku, u zbalja bil-kbir meta injora id-Direttivi u prattici tal-Unjoni Ewropeja fejn tidhol trasparenza u b’mod partikulari fejn tidhol gustizzja. Il-gvern baqa ma tghax kaz u ma spjegax kif jistabbilixxi l-prezzijiet u t-tariffi u r-Regulatur tal-Energija li suppost li hu, hu li hu responsabbli li jisgura li dak li qed tghid l-GRTU jsehh, baqa ma qal xejn.

Il-problema tal-gvern fejn jidhlu l-prezzijiet tad-diesel u tat-tariffi tal-elettriku hi gravi. Dan ghaliex l-gvern mhux jifhem li hu zbalja fil-mod kif xtara z-zjut minn barra, zbalja bl-ikrah meta qabad u fassal metodu kif jistabbilixxi l-prezz tad-diesel u fuels ohra essenzjali ghall-kumerc, l-industrija u t-turizmu bla ebda konsultazzjoni mall-korpi kostitwiti li jirraprezentaw lill-intraprizi f’kull qasam ekonomiku, u zbalja bil-kbir meta injora id-Direttivi u prattici tal-Unjoni Ewropeja fejn tidhol trasparenza u b’mod partikulari fejn tidhol gustizzja. Il-gvern baqa ma tghax kaz u ma spjegax kif jistabbilixxi l-prezzijiet u t-tariffi u r-Regulatur tal-Energija li suppost li hu, hu li hu responsabbli li jisgura li dak li qed tghid l-GRTU jsehh, baqa ma qal xejn.

Il-GRTU ghalhekk ressqet l-protest taghha lill-Kummissjoni Ewropeja. Il-protest tal-GRTU mhux dwar il-prezzijiet internazzjonali, kif qed jghidu l-kelliema tal-gvern izda dwar il-mod ingust li sidien ta’ intraprizi zghar gew injorati u diskriminati bil-mod li l-gvern qabad u ivvantaggja lil xi intraprizi ghax sempliciment huma kbar jew jahdmu f’settur partikulari u injora lil kul hadd.

Il-protesta li qed torganizza l-GRTU hi kontra awtoritajiet li jew naqsu minn dmirhom, jew bi strategija qed ikomplu jinjoraw dak li hu gust u sewwa li jsir. In-nies tipprotesta meta tkun injorata, meta tidhol l-arroganza flok ir-raguni meta tidhol l-ingustizzja flok l-gustizzja. U tipprotesta sa ma twassal il-messagg. F’pajjizna mexjien hazin u l-gvern hu responsabbli biex jirrimedja.

Prezzijiet tad-diesel

Il-GRTU tappella lill-gvern biex jirrimedja il-problemi li holoq biz-zidiet fil-prezz tad-diesel

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tan-Negozji Zghar u Medji, ser tipprocedi bil-pjan taghha li torganizza flimkien mal-assocjazzjonijiet nazzjonali l-ohra li jirraprezentaw lit-trasportaturi u distributuri, protesta nazzjonali wara li l-gvern baqa’ ma tax kaz tat-talbiet tal-assocjazzjonijiet nazzjonali li jirraprezentaw dan is-settur. It-talbiet ta’ dawn l-assocjazzjonijiet li bejniethom jirraprezentaw kull tip ta’ trasport ta’ persuni u ta’ merca kif ukoll trasportaturi tal-prodotti tal-bini u tal-iskart, jikkoncernaw ir-rivizjoni taz-zidiet fil-prezz tad-diesel u it-thaddiem ta’ sistema trasparenti li tistabilixxi l-prezz tad-diesel u fjuwils ohra.

Il-GRTU tappella lill-gvern biex jirrimedja il-problemi li holoq biz-zidiet fil-prezz tad-diesel

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tan-Negozji Zghar u Medji, ser tipprocedi bil-pjan taghha li torganizza flimkien mal-assocjazzjonijiet nazzjonali l-ohra li jirraprezentaw lit-trasportaturi u distributuri, protesta nazzjonali wara li l-gvern baqa’ ma tax kaz tat-talbiet tal-assocjazzjonijiet nazzjonali li jirraprezentaw dan is-settur. It-talbiet ta’ dawn l-assocjazzjonijiet li bejniethom jirraprezentaw kull tip ta’ trasport ta’ persuni u ta’ merca kif ukoll trasportaturi tal-prodotti tal-bini u tal-iskart, jikkoncernaw ir-rivizjoni taz-zidiet fil-prezz tad-diesel u it-thaddiem ta’ sistema trasparenti li tistabilixxi l-prezz tad-diesel u fjuwils ohra.

Dwar din il-kwistjoni l-GRTU wkoll resqet complaint quddiem il-Kummissjoni Ewropeja izda tistenna li l-gvern jirrimedja bla aktar telf ta’ zmien. Il-GRTU ssostni li hu d-dmir tal-gvern li jnaqqas it-tenzjoni zejda li ghabba biha lil dan is-settur meta wara li ntqal mill-istess gvern li l-prezz tad-diesel mhux ser joghla rega habbar zidiet ohra fid-diesel u fjuwils ohra li jintuzaw fix-xoghol.

It-Trasportaturi lesti ghall-protesti Nazzjonali

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tan-Negozji Zghar u Medji, ser tipprocedi bil-pjan taghha li torganizza flimkien mal-assocjazzjonijiet nazzjonali l-ohra li jirraprezentaw lit-trasportaturi u distributuri, protesta nazzjonali wara li l-gvern baqa’ ma tax kaz tat-talbiet tal-assocjazzjonijiet nazzjonali li jirraprezentaw dan is-settur. It-talbiet ta’ dawn l-assocjazzjonijiet li bejniethom jirraprezentaw kull tip ta’ trasport ta’ persuni u ta’ merca kif ukoll trasportaturi tal-prodotti tal-bini u tal-iskart, jikkoncernaw ir-rivizjoni taz-zidiet fil-prezz tad-diesel u it-thaddiem ta’ sistema trasparenti li tistabilixxi l-prezz tad-diesel u fjuwils ohra.

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tan-Negozji Zghar u Medji, ser tipprocedi bil-pjan taghha li torganizza flimkien mal-assocjazzjonijiet nazzjonali l-ohra li jirraprezentaw lit-trasportaturi u distributuri, protesta nazzjonali wara li l-gvern baqa’ ma tax kaz tat-talbiet tal-assocjazzjonijiet nazzjonali li jirraprezentaw dan is-settur. It-talbiet ta’ dawn l-assocjazzjonijiet li bejniethom jirraprezentaw kull tip ta’ trasport ta’ persuni u ta’ merca kif ukoll trasportaturi tal-prodotti tal-bini u tal-iskart, jikkoncernaw ir-rivizjoni taz-zidiet fil-prezz tad-diesel u it-thaddiem ta’ sistema trasparenti li tistabilixxi l-prezz tad-diesel u fjuwils ohra.

Dwar din il-kwistjoni l-GRTU wkoll resqet complaint quddiem il-Kummissjoni Ewropeja izda tistenna li l-gvern jirrimedja bla aktar telf ta’ zmien. Il-GRTU ssostni li hu d-dmir tal-gvern li jnaqqas it-tenzjoni zejda li ghabba biha lil dan is-settur meta wara li ntqal mill-istess gvern li l-prezz tad-diesel mhux ser joghla rega habbar zidiet ohra fid-diesel u fjuwils ohra li jintuzaw fix-xoghol.

Withholding Tax ta’ 12% ta’ Trasferimenti ta’ Prorjeta

Il-Kwistjoni Dwar il-Final Withholding Tax ta’ 12% ta' Trasferimenti ta' Prorjeta


Il-GRTU din il-gimgha laqghet lill-Izviluppaturi tal-Proprjeta (Property Developers) u lil Agenti tal-Bejgh tal-Proprjeta (Estate Agents) biex f’laqghat separati jiddiskutu fid-dettal l-impatt tad-decizjoni tal-Budget li t-taxxa fuq it-trasferiment ta’ proprjeta tinbidel minn wahda ta’ capital gains tax ghall-final withholding tax .

Kemm l-Agenti tal-Bejgh ta’ Proprjeta kif ukoll l-Izviluppaturi tal-Proprjeta qablu li l-Ligi kif inhi ser tohloq problemi kbar ghall-izviluppaturi li illum jixtru proprjeta u jtellghu bini li jimbiegh l-aktar lil Maltin. Dan hu xoghol li illum johloq hafna impjiegi u hafna attivita ekonomika lil hafna imprendituri zghar u self-employed barra li jwassal fuq s-suq proprjeta “affordable” ghall-hafna li jfittxu biex jixtru darhom.

Il-GRTU ghalhekk iltaqghet mas-Segretarju Parlamentari l-Onorevoli Tonio Fenech fejn resqet il-kummenti tal-izviluppaturi. Il-GRTU ipprezentat kontro proposti lil gvern kif il-ligi tista tigi amendata biex filwaqt li jinzamm l-beneficcju tas-sistema l-gdida ma jkunux mghobbija b’taxxa mhux accettabbli dawk li joholqu ix-xoghol.

Il-GRTU f’isem l-Agenti tal-Bejgh tal-Proprjeta u f’isem l-Izviluppaturi tal-Proprjeta ser tipprezenta fil-granet li gejjien dokumenti bl-amendi ghall-Abbozz tal-Ligi li jimplimenta l-Estimi u Mizuri Amministrattivi ohra, Taqsima II li jamenda l-Att dwar it-Taxxa fuq l-Income.

Il-proposti tal-GRTU huma mmirati biex tinghata option lil dawk li jixtru, jizviluppaw u jbieghu l-proprjeta f’terminu ta’ zmien preskritt li jkollhom l-ghazla li jkomplu jhaddnu s-sistema ta’ 7% provisional tax u 35% tax fuq il-qliegh stabbilit skond ir-rendikont ta’ spejjez ipprezentati mill-izviluppatur.

Il-GRTU wkoll talbet li jkun estiz immedjatament it-terminu ta’ zmien li fih irid isir it-trasferiment jew bejgh ta’ proprjeta fejn l-avviz tal-konvenju ta’ bejgh jew trasferiment jkun diga sar ghaliex il-perjodu sal-31 ta’ Dicembru 2005 hu qasir wisq.

L-amendi tal-GRTU huma wkoll intizi li min jiret proprjeta jgawdi mill-vantaggi tat-taxxa ta’ 12% final witholding fuq l-profitt flok il-35% li kienet tghodd qabel. Wkoll jibqghu igawdu mit-12% withholding dawk li jbieghu proprjeta li titpogga fuq is-suq wara numru ta’ snin li tkun nxtrat. Il-GRTU kienet resqet proposti f’dan is-sens qabel il-Budget ghax issotni li kif kienet it-taxxa fuq din it-tip ta’ proprjeta kienet ingusta u kienet kawza ta’ pressjoni zejda fuq l-prezzijiet tal-proprjeta.

Mid-diskussjonijiet li l-GRTU kellha mall-Onorevoli Tonio Fenech il-GRTU hi sodisfatta li hemm possibilta qawwija ta’ soluzzjoni prattika dwar din it-taxxa fl-ahjar interess ta’ kulhadd.

GRTU charges Vodafone and Go Mobile of abuse of duopoly in their imposition of mobile telephony

GRTU charges Vodafone and Go Mobile of abuse of duopoly in their imposition of mobile telephony “E-talk” and “Ready to Go”

GRTU has today requested Malta Communications Authority and the Office for Fair Competition to order Vodafone and Go Mobile to suspend the increase in prices that the duopoly Vodafone and Go Mobile have decided to charge to all resellers of “E Talk” and “Ready to Go” cards to consumers.

· GRTU charges Vodafone and Go Mobile of abuse of duopoly in their imposition of mobile telephony “E-talk” and “Ready to Go”

GRTU has today requested Malta Communications Authority and the Office for Fair Competition to order Vodafone and Go Mobile to suspend the increase in prices that the duopoly Vodafone and Go Mobile have decided to charge to all resellers of “E Talk” and “Ready to Go” cards to consumers.

GRTU on behalf of card resellers contends that these price increases were imposed on the strength of the two firms dominating the market. These dominant firms are imposing their will irrespective of the impact on resellers who have no option but to accept the imposition even at a price which is below the cost of the service they offer.

Please find below copy of GRTU protest to MCA and to OFC.

Dear Sirs,

I write on behalf of the Chamber of Small & Medium Enterprises, (GRTU).

Reference is made to a recent combined decision taken by Vodafone Malta Limited and Mobisle Communications Limited acting as “Go Mobile” whereby they informed their business partners who effectively are businesses retailing the above mentioned entities’ mobile telephony Top-up Cards (“E-talk” and “Ready To Go” respectively), that as from October 2005, the retailer’s commission on the sale of these products is being reduced form 7% to 5%, hence effectively re-pricing their respective products. This information was given by means of two circulars sent from the two said entities, copies of which are being attached hereto.

In terms of Article 5 and Article 9 of Chapter 379 of the Laws of Malta this is a serious case of an anticompetitive measures and an abuse of a dominant position taken by what effectively is a duopoly existing in our country, both entities having over 40% of the market share.

Moreover this information was given without any prior notification to the Director General of the Malta Communications Authority, which is in clear breach of the provisions of Chapter 418 of the Laws of Malta

Therefore in the light of the above I kindly ask you to start investigations forthwith, and in terms of Article 13(1) of Chapter 379 of the Laws of Malta I am instructed to ask the Director of Fair Trading to issue an order for the two said entities to cease and desist from continuing the above described practice with immediate effect, which practice is seriously prejudicing the income of the mobile telephony top-up card retailers, members of the GRTU.

GRTU charges Vodafone and Go Mobile of abuse of duopoly

GRTU charges Vodafone and Go Mobile of abuse of duopoly in their imposition of mobile telephony “E-talk” and “Ready to Go”

GRTU has today requested Malta Communications Authority and the Office for Fair Competition to order Vodafone and Go Mobile to suspend the increase in prices that the duopoly Vodafone and Go Mobile have decided to charge to all resellers of “E Talk” and “Ready to Go” cards to consumers.

GRTU charges Vodafone and Go Mobile of abuse of duopoly in their imposition of mobile telephony “E-talk” and “Ready to Go”

GRTU has today requested Malta Communications Authority and the Office for Fair Competition to order Vodafone and Go Mobile to suspend the increase in prices that the duopoly Vodafone and Go Mobile have decided to charge to all resellers of “E Talk” and “Ready to Go” cards to consumers.

GRTU on behalf of card resellers contends that these price increases were imposed on the strength of the two firms dominating the market. These dominant firms are imposing their will irrespective of the impact on resellers who have no option but to accept the imposition even at a price which is below the cost of the service they offer.

Please find below copy of GRTU protest to MCA and to OFC.

Dear Sirs,

I write on behalf of the Chamber of Small & Medium Enterprises, (GRTU).

Reference is made to a recent combined decision taken by Vodafone Malta Limited and Mobisle Communications Limited acting as “Go Mobile” whereby they informed their business partners who effectively are businesses retailing the above mentioned entities’ mobile telephony Top-up Cards (“E-talk” and “Ready To Go” respectively), that as from October 2005, the retailer’s commission on the sale of these products is being reduced form 7% to 5%, hence effectively re-pricing their respective products. This information was given by means of two circulars sent from the two said entities, copies of which are being attached hereto.

In terms of Article 5 and Article 9 of Chapter 379 of the Laws of Malta this is a serious case of an anticompetitive measures and an abuse of a dominant position taken by what effectively is a duopoly existing in our country, both entities having over 40% of the market share.

Moreover this information was given without any prior notification to the Director General of the Malta Communications Authority, which is in clear breach of the provisions of Chapter 418 of the Laws of Malta

Therefore in the light of the above I kindly ask you to start investigations forthwith, and in terms of Article 13(1) of Chapter 379 of the Laws of Malta I am instructed to ask the Director of Fair Trading to issue an order for the two said entities to cease and desist from continuing the above described practice with immediate effect, which practice is seriously prejudicing the income of the mobile telephony top-up card retailers, members of the GRTU.