Boatmen’s Turmoil: Unlicensed Group ‘Regulating’ Malta’s Maritime Sector

Imagine this: you’re a boatman, plying your trade in Malta’s sparkling waters, when suddenly, an unlicensed group starts dictating your working hours, fees, and routes. This isn’t a scene from a film, but the reality faced by Malta’s boatmen today.

An Uninvited Regulator

Malta’s boatmen, who have been operating without a central governing body for decades, are now grappling with an unexpected challenge. An unregistered group, claiming to represent the sector, has started issuing directives, leaving boatmen bewildered and frustrated. “We woke up one day and found these people telling us how to run our businesses,” says Joe, a seasoned boatman from Marsaxlokk.

The group, which prefers to remain anonymous, has been active since early this year. They’ve been distributing leaflets, holding meetings, and even imposing fines on boatmen who refuse to comply with their ‘rules’. “They’ve even threatened to blacklist non-compliant boatmen,” reveals Maria, a boatwoman from Sliema.

Boatmen’s Concerns and Confusion

Boatmen are concerned about this sudden intervention. “Who are these people? Where do they get the right to regulate our sector?” asks Joe. The group’s lack of transparency and accountability is a major issue for boatmen. “We don’t know who’s behind this. We can’t even discuss our concerns with them,” says Maria.

boatmen argue that the group’s rules are arbitrary and not in the best interest of the sector. “They’re dictating our working hours, telling us where to go, how much to charge. It’s like they’re running a monopoly,” says Joe. The group has also been pushing for a collective fee increase, a move that boatmen fear could drive away tourists.

Government’s Stance and Way Forward

The Maltese government, which has been silent on the issue so far, needs to intervene. Boatmen are calling for a proper regulatory body, elected democratically, to represent their interests. “We need a body that we can trust, that we’ve elected, to regulate our sector,” says Maria.

Meanwhile, the unregistered group shows no signs of backing down. “We’re doing what’s best for the sector,” they claim, refusing to comment further. The standoff continues, leaving Malta’s boatmen in limbo, their livelihoods hanging in the balance.

As the summer season approaches, boatmen are hoping for a resolution soon. “We just want to do our job, without interference from unknown quarters,” says Joe. The government, boatmen, and the mysterious group need to sit down and find a solution that works for everyone. After all, Malta’s maritime sector is too important to be left adrift.