Government & Politics
Agreement for Monti hawkers' relocation signed
By MaltaMedia News
May 18, 2007 - 2:35:41 PM

After almost two weeks at loggerheads, the government and the Unjoni Ħaddiema Magħqudin (UĦM) have signed an agreement over where the Monti hawkers in Valletta are to be permanently relocated.

The market will be relocated between Old Theatre Street and Archbishop Street in Merchants Street, two corners down from where hawkers have set up their stalls in the recent years. In a statement the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology said that in this way the hawkers' actvities will not hinder those of other shops and establishments also present in Merchants Street.

Temporarily, until concrete laying works underway in Merchants street are completed, the market will by open at Freedom Square. Once concrete laying works together with paving works draw to a close, the Monti hawkers will set up their wares at the new permanent site.

The agreement will also see the setting up of a committee that will see to any difficulties that might arise once the market is relocated to its new spot.  

In signing the agreement, the UĦM agreed to retract the judicial protest it filed against the government on behalf of the hawkers over the issue.  

In the agreement it is also stipulates that the hawkers’ stalls will be of set size to ensue a better appearance for the market. The new stalls will be financed by the government.    

Twelve hawkers who renounce to their licence by the 31st May will be given the compensation sum of Lm10,000.  

The agreement was signed between Minister for Investment, Industry and Information Technology Austin Gatt, Parliamentary Secretary for Commerce and Competitiveness Edwin Vassallo , UĦM President Gejtu Tanti and UĦM Secretary General Gejtu Vella.