Minister Chris Bonnett has warned that Transport Malta will suspend Uber’s operating licence if the company fails to comply with newly enacted Y-plate regulations – after the platform unilaterally excluded self-employed drivers and small operators without any legal basis.

The amendments came into force today. Bonnett says Uber has not only failed to implement the required changes, but has actively shut out independent workers from its platform – a move he described as unhelpful, damaging to the sector and harmful to workers.

“Uber has known for months that this law was coming into effect,” Bonnett said. “We drafted this legislation in collaboration with platforms, fleet operators and drivers – both self-employed and employees. These laws were designed to strengthen the service and establish its credibility as a robust and viable alternative mode of transport.”

Together with Transport Malta, Bonnett said the government is taking all legally permissible steps against Uber and has issued a clear deadline: comply within the statutory timeframes or face a licence suspension.

“Such actions are unhelpful and only damage the sector. Above all, they harm workers – something we, as a Government, cannot accept,” he said.