The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise once again voiced its deep concern at the long-term negative effects the current public transport strike actions will have on the economy.
“The Chamber refers to the published figures of government funds – taxpayers’ money – handed to bus owners since 1999 amounting to €41 million with the service remaining more or less the same – apart from the introduction of new vehicles.
“Apart from this, there is no way which we can quantify the damage to the country’s reputation in so far as the tourism industry is concerned,” the Chamber said in a statement.
“Reports of illegal and criminal behaviour by some of those on strike are those one relates to third-world countries and not to an EU country. This is in stark contrast with the efforts which the Malta Tourism Authority and operators from the private sector have been embarking on over the last years to promote Malta as the heart of the Mediterranean hospitality.”
The Chamber, whilst condemning all the violence reportedly occurring on the roads, reiterated its warning to the operators to keep in mind that their actions were harming their own clients. “Any business operator worth his salt knows that harming his own client base is the fastest way to close down his business. The Chamber once again calls on those operators engaged on this strike to see sense and stop these actions which will ultimately have a devastating effect on the whole business community.”