In a statement, the GRTU said this was done after the ministry used the Malta Standards Authority as its lapdog. The statement was issued after the government announced plans that smoking regulations in places of entertainment will come into force on 5 October.

In April, the GRTU reached an agreement with the ministry on how the smoking regulations were to be implemented so that the least damage is suffered by small businesses. The ministry had however issued regulations in complete disregard of this agreement, the GRTU said.

Malta joined the European Union and accepted to abide by EU rules and norms based on consultation, social dialogue and agreement with the social partners. The ministry had however imposed regulations without any dialogue with the stakeholders and with the recognised social partners. The regulations infringed on the rights of owners of establishments in complete disregard of their rights as investors, it added.

The government had signed and promised to adhere to the European Charter for Small Enterprises and committed itself to help and promote the interests of small businesses. But the ministry was now imposing on owners of establishments “unworkable and unacceptable regulations without any assistance to owners whatsoever”.

The government is expected to shoulder all the responsibility bestowed upon it. The Health Ministry had issued regulations that effectively transfer its responsibility for health safeguards onto owners of establishments and transfers its authority to the Police, as if the Police Force has no other serious business to conduct but chasing smokers out of places of leisure.

The GRTU, as an employers’ association and as a national organisation representing retail and commercial establishments, constantly supports the government in its efforts to introduce better health and safety conditions at work and in public places and whenever GRTU was treated as a social partner. GRTU constantly gave its maximum to ensure things are done effectively and prudently.

The Ministry of Health’s handling of the smoking regulations is sheer imposition, a disregard of EU norms and standards and an insult to decent and acceptable public governance. It represents ministerial incompetence at the very best, the GRTU said.