The government yesterday filed its reply to the court protest submitted by the Union Haddiema Maghqudin on behalf of the monti hawkers last week, in which it rebutted the union’s claims with regard to the relocation of the open-air market.

The counter protest was filed yesterday morning by the Attorney General’s office on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Justice Minister, the Investments, Industry and IT Minister, the Competitiveness and Communications Minister, the Parliamentary Secretary for Small Businesses and the Self Employed and the Police Commissioner.

The government said it was not true that the decision to relocate the open-air market had been taken now and said that public discussion on the matter had begun in April 2005.

It pointed out that the UHM had only begun representing the hawkers six months ago.

The decision had been taken, said the government, following extensive discussions with, among others, the committee representing the hawkers and the owners of businesses in Valletta.

It said that Merchants’ Street needs to be paved and, as a result, the hawkers have to be moved while the work is carried out.

Moreover, it said, the setting up of stalls is not compatible with the vision the government has of Merchants’ Street and therefore the open-air market has to be relocated away from the paved area of this street.

The government therefore called on the union not to continue pursuing “useless and unfounded” legal avenues.