Government rejects petrol station owners' raise demand, offers alternative

The government has rejected a demand by petrol station owners for a raise in their profit margins from the sale of fuel but has made an alternative proposal, the Energy Ministry said on Wednesday.

The station owners, represented by the GRTU, are calling for a raise in their margins in view of improvements they need to make to their establishments.

The GRTU warned last week that fuel stations would stop operating unless an agreement was reached over an increase in their margin of profit.

It said that talks with the government have been dragging on since 2014, and operators are expected to refurbish fuel stations by next year – an expense that can reach half a million euro.

CEO Abigail Mamo told the Times of Malta that in 2011, the GRTU had presented the government with a study carried out by independent auditors about the increase, in cents, in the margin of profit for fuel stations.

The last increase, which was a marginal one, was made nine years ago, she noted.

In a statement on Wednesday, the government said talks had been held between Energy Minister Joe Mizzi and a GRTU delegation. 

It pointed out that in 2011 the Resources Authority had allowed a raise in profits from the...