In a statement, the GRTU director-general Vince Farrugia said any vessel which is berthed in the Grand Harbour cannot sell any items because this would cause irreparable damage to people who import similar products and who pay importation costs and other taxes, including Value Added Tax.

Mr Farrugia said that whether the products are books, refrigerators, washing machines, watermelons, apples or other fresh products did not make any difference.

“Today the excuse that the books are being sold for the poor, tomorrow that refrigerators are being sold for the Ethiopians and the day after that items are being sold for the missionaries. Everyone knows how to make up an excuse. He who wants to be a gentleman should do so with his own livelihood and not that of our members,” he said.