The General Workers Union has welcomed the agreement reached between government and the Committee of Valletta Hawkers which is affiliated to the Union, through which the open market will be relocated to Ordnance Street.

This agreement was unanimously approved by the hawkers during a meeting held on Monday at the Workers Memorial Building in Valletta.

In a statement the GWU said that it fails to understand criticism that this will spoil the city entrance, arguing that some are oblivious to the fact that in foreign capitals, open markets are located in the prominent part of the city both as a tourist attraction as well as to serve the local comunity.

The union said that the open market will be better organised and more aesthetically pleasing as it will be set up in a professional manner, so as to blend well with the Renzo Piano project.

The GWU praised government for listening to the grievances of the hawkers “in contrast with the previous administration who used to shift their place from time to time according to its mood”.

The union said that it is holding discussions to find a solution for the Sunday hawkers.