Malta: Petrol station owners agree deal with government

Petrol station owners have formally approved a deal negotiated by the GRTU with the Energy Ministry following their call for bigger profit margins, informs Times of Malta.

The deal was announced this weekend after a meeting between GRTU officials and Energy Minister Joe Mizzi. The owners had sought an increase in profit margins to help them improve their facilities in line with new standards.

Prior to the conclusion of the talks, petrol station owners announced that gas stations will not sell fuel outside regular opening hours. This action was withdrawn on Friday.

Details of the agreement have not been unveiled, apart from the fact that prices will not rise for motorists.

The GRTU stated that after the agreeement members are required to upgrade their sites according to the new standards before the deadline. Stations will refurbish by next year in line with the requirements set by the environment and energy regulators, ERA and REWS.

Upgrades could cost as much as €500,000 per station, owners argued. Hence the need to undertake the works hand in hand with the government.