The government and the Union Haddiema Maghqudin yesterday failed to reach an agreement on the relocation of the monti open air market in Valletta

Last week, the government had announced that monti hawkers will as from today be relocated from Merchants Street to St James Ditch.

This is being done to allow for work to be carried out in Merchants Street, paving the way for the new site of the open air market. The UHM last Friday said monti hawkers did not agree with such a move.

A statement issued by the Investment, Industry and IT Ministry last night said that a UHM delegation led by secretary general Gejtu Vella yesterday held a meeting with the government to discuss the problem.

During the meeting, the UHM reiterated its position – that the monti should not move to St James Ditch. The government said this position is unacceptable and reminded the UHM that the quicker the work starts, the quicker will the monti hawkers return to Merchants Street.

The government said that this “confrontation” is taking place after three years of negotiations. The government now has the responsibility to take decisions and implement them, the statement concluded.