GRTU, following complaints received from its members, has written to the Ministry of Finance and the Parliamentary Secretary for Public Dialogue, on the basking that is taking place in Freedom Square. Below is the letter that was sent.
After many long discussions between the Government and GRTU, with the help of the former Parliamentary Secretary Hon. Edwin Vassallo, the Baskers` Law was drafted and legislated. The new law makes it abundantly clear that no basking may be done in Freedom Square and no sale of goods, services or other sales of any other nature can take place. GRTU has insisted all along that sales from temporary stands under whatever title, cause grossly unfair competition to shops in the arc who pay rents, licenses and employ people on a regular basis and await particular occasions to cover costs of days when business is poor.
GRTU has also argued that activities like time share and pressure selling as being conducted by Go and Vodafone, should not be allowed in the whole of the Valletta commercial centre. The uncontrolled use of Freedom Square for special vending opportunities has had a grossly damaging effect on shops in the shopping complex, so much so that many are now vacant and no one seeks to rent.
In November 08, Vodafone were given an encroachment to open a vending stand in Freedom Square by the Valletta Local Council. One fails to understand under what authority was this license given. Shop owners pass through much bureaucratic delays and costs to obtain licences, yet now it seems that some find all sorts of excuses to obtain licenses which should not be available to anyone. The reason given, that Go and Vodafone were sponsors to occupy of an Arts Event that ended in January 2009, is very puerile.
Valletta Local Council has no right to dispense trading licenses and encroachments in complete disregard of laws and economic impact affecting normal business operations in Valletta.
24 April 2026
The Malta Chamber of SMEs, in collaboration with Transport Malta, organised the second educational session...
23 April 2026
Thanks to EU funding, the Malta Chamber of SMEs organised another free specialised training session...
22 April 2026
Earlier this week, Malta Chamber of SMEs President Mr Paul Abela attended a special event...
The Malta Chamber of SMEs represents over 7,000 members from over 90 different sectors which in their majority are either small or medium sized companies, and such issues like the one we're experiencing right now, it's important to be united. Malta Chamber of SMEs offers a number of different services tailored to its members' individual requirements' and necessities. These range from general services offered to all members to more individual & bespoke services catered for specific requirements.
A membership with Malta Chamber of SMEs will guarantee that you are constantly updated and informed with different opportunities which will directly benefit your business and help you grow. It also entails you to a number of services which in their majority are free of charge and offered exclusively to its members (in their majority all free of charge).
