Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546219
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 AUGUST 2026 NEWS Roderick Galdes warns of 'coperto' charges on restaurant bills CONSUMERS have a funda- mental right to know what they will be paying before they order, Former Labour minister Rod- erick Galdes has said, pointing out that a "coperto" system are gradually being introduced into Malta's restaurant scene. "Little by little, it appears that the 'coperto' system is also be- ing introduced in our country," Galdes said. "I want to make it clear that this is not a tax im- posed by the Government, but an additional charge which a number of establishments and restaurants appear to be start- ing to add to the customer's bill." A receipt published by Gal- des on Facebook shows a ser- vice charge of €6.92 added to a €72.80 subtotal for a table of diners, bringing the final pay- ment to €79.72. Galdes argued that the prac- tice adds further pressure on already stretched household budgets. "In our country, where the cost of eating out is already high compared to several neigh- bouring countries, we cannot accept further expenses being created for families without full transparency," he said. He stressed that he was not against businesses charging as they see fit but insisted the cus- tomers must be told in advance. "While I respect that the mar- ket is free, the consumer has a fundamental right to know in advance how much he will be paying," Galdes said. "Every 'coperto', service charge or additional payment should be clearly, visibly and transpar- ently indicated before the client commits and begins receiving the service and not discovered when the bill arrives." Galdes called on the Govern- ment to take a firmer stance on the matter. "The Government should send a clear message that it is against every form of abuse and should ensure that consumer rights are safeguard- ed," he said. He also noted the diminished role of consumer associations in recent years, arguing that politi- cians must step in to fill the gap. "At a time when the associations that traditionally defended the consumer are barely heard from any more, the politician should be the voice of the people," he said. Galdes concluded by reaffirm- ing his support for a free mar- ket, so long as consumers are not left in the dark. "The free market should remain free, but the consumer should be in- formed, protected and respect- ed," he said. JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt A receipt published by Galdes on Facebook shows a service charge of €6.92 added to a €72.80 subtotal for a table of diners, bringing the final payment to €79.72 Diving schools association says Cirkewwa Marine Park must not be left unprotected ĊIRKEWWA Marine Park must not be left unprotected, The Pro- fessional Diving Schools Associ- ation (PDSA) has said this after it was announced that the Malta Ranger Unit would cease all mon- itoring of Ċirkewwa Marine Park. "The recovery we have seen at Ċirkewwa is real, and it did not happen by accident; it is the di- rect result of the Rangers' hard work. Our concern is simple: this site must not be left unprotected during a change of management," said PDSA spokesperson Simone Brinch Iversen. He said the association stands ready to work constructively with the authorities to ensure Ċirkew- wa continues to be safeguarded, for the marine environment and for the diving industry that de- pends on it. The Marine Rangers Unit an- nounced on Monday that it would stop monitoring the marine park after being excluded from the new management agreement, which takes effect on 1 September. The organisation said the CMP Management Council and the Malta Tourism Authority had de- cided not to extend their collabo- ration with it, and that the reason given was not linked to the quali- ty of its rangers' work. The MRU said it was not aware of who would monitor illegalities in the area going forward and di- rected questions to the MTA or the new management. The association, which repre- sents most licensed diving schools across the Maltese Islands, point- ed out that it had not been includ- ed, consulted or advised of any decision taken by the authorities regarding the site's future man- agement or monitoring, The PDSA said the stakes were not only environmental but eco- nomic. "Diving is one of Malta's flagship tourism products, with over 60 dive centres across the Maltese Islands generating sub- stantial revenue and support- ing hundreds of livelihoods, and Ċirkewwa is the single most pop- ular shore-diving site in the coun- try." As of today, active monitoring of the site has ceased, and the PDSA said it had yet to be informed of how and by whom the area would be safeguarded going forward. The association said it now awaits clarity from the Govern- ment and the relevant authorities on the way forward for Malta's most valuable dive site. The PDSA praised the Ranger Unit at Ċirkewwa for effectively curbing illegal activity through consistent presence. It observed a remarkable improvement in ma- rine life, highlighting the impor- tance of continuous monitoring and enforcement. A marine park of this impor- tance requires continuous mon- itoring, the association said, adding that any change in guard- ianship must be handled respon- sibly, with a smooth, seamless handover that leaves no gap in protection. Protection on paper alone is not sufficient, it said, not- ing that experience has shown this does not work, and that a protected area is only as protect- ed as its day-to-day enforcement allows. The Maltese diving sector at- tracts 150,000-200,000 dive tour- ists annually, making up about 5-6.5% of inbound tourism. Glob- ally recognized as a top diving destination, it generates around 1.5 million bed-nights, with high-value visitors staying longer and spending more than the aver- age tourist, according to the Mal- ta Tourism Authority. The Professional Diving Schools Association, founded in 1982, represents Malta's diving com- munity and is the main trade body for licensed diving schools in Malta, Gozo, and Comino. It works with the Government and Malta Tourism Authority on diving issues, sets regulations, and focuses on diver safety, edu- cation, and marine preservation. Its members manage much of Malta's diving infrastructure and have sunk over ten wrecks to cre- ate habitats and dive sites Reporting by Juliana Zammit