The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise expressed its deep concern at the current situation evolving at the Malta Freeport, with industrial action which the chamber said was “threatening the national interest”.

The industrial action – in its third day yesterday – was ordered by the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises.

It is an undisputed fact that Malta’s economy is facing well-known problems due to inherent competitiveness conditions – among which the country’s geographical isolation. Definitely, the country cannot afford to compromise this condition even further, the chamber said.

The Chamber of Commerce unreservedly condemned instances where any union places the interest of the few before the common good, and in the process, harms the business community in an unjust manner.

The chamber hoped that this situation is not allowed to continue, and encouraged the parties concerned to seek a timely solution to this urgent and delicate matter. It is high time that national interest takes precedence on all individual matters, the Chamber of Commerce said.

In a statement, the GRTU said constituted bodies had rushed to criticise its actions without considering the facts in full.

The GRTU said it had no dispute with the government but said it expected the government to find solutions.

It said that the costs for each container will increase and the GRTU wanted to resist such a move.

The GRTU believed that the exigencies of the country should come before any other interests.

Yesterday, the GRTU held a meeting for cargo haulers who decided to persist with their action but had guaranteed that once a solution is found, they were prepared to work extra hours for the situation to return to normal as quickly as possible.