Chamber dismayed at increase in bus drivers' compensation

The government’s decision to raise its compensation to bus owners to €55 million was greeted with fresh criticism today by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Chamber had already previously criticised the initial offer of €52m.

The chamber insisted that in view of the country’s very tight constraints in public finances, affording this level of compensation was totally out of sync with the times.

It said that it understood that the government was obliged to compensate public transport operators, however, in comparison to the funds promised to assist business to mitigate the increase in electricity tariffs, such levels of compensation could in no way be justified in terms of national economic benefit.

“This amount of compensation must also be seen in the light of the seven-year package of financial assistance made available to the whole business community through Malta Enterprise, the ‘€20 million for Industry’ package.”

The chamber said it trusted there were no other such bailouts of non-productive entities in the pipeline and that the government would be adopting an equally understanding stance when chamber members approach the government for assistance to safeguard jobs and investment.

“The Malta Chamber has and will continue to support government in its efforts to safeguard and create jobs and now looks forward to more positive developments in this direction,” it said.