Author: SME Chamber

Two sets of Bring in Sites siutated at Xlendi Parking Bay were burned during the night between Wednesday and Thursday this week, more precisely between 12 midnight and 1 am.
These bring in sites consisted of six domed shaped Bins belonging to the Local Council of Munxar and four containers on wheels, property of Green MT, the National Authorised Packaging Waste Complaince Scheme . A total of ten containers and in addition two palm trees, and also a decorative lamp post. We estimate damages at a cost of nearly Euros 6000.

It was a night of dew and some rain so the containers could not have caught fire on their own merit. Arson is definately suspected and the case has been reported to the Police. The Civil Protection were on site within minutes and avoided more damages to other property. We have full confidence in the Police Force and we are sure this suspected arson will be investigated in its proper manner. Such incidents are aimed only to satisfy a single coward’s need and with the resulting inconvenience to the Community. We need to eradicate such individuals and bring them to justice.

The Police would do well to question every one who lives in the area, and go through all CCTVs that show vehicles going to the direction of Xlendi from Victoria or from Munxar to Xlendi during those hours. The investigation needs to go deep. If society wants the confidence of the Police Force to grow, it is such issues that need to be brought to justice. Forgetting the investment involved for the provision of this equipment, this is a concern for the moral fibre of society in general. The Police Force needs to be able to solve such cases. To solve such cases, there needs to be the will power. We cannot treat this matter as just another set of burned bins, with just the words ‘Case Unsolved’ at the end of the Police Report.

As a Scheme Green MT has gone through reporting nearly seventy burned bins in the last three years at an approximate cost of nearly Euros 20, 000. Only one case was solved, an arson of a set in Kirkop Malta.

Such incidents are condemned by not only the Scheme, but also by The Munxar Local Council who strives hard to make ends meet in this Locality. The Munxar Local Council has provided both the residents and the commercial community at Xlendi with a service next to none in respect to Waste Managment, a service which increases during the summer months. Green MT has invested heavily in emptying these bins and making sure they are kept clean despite the problems that we faced daily in peak months. This is a service to the community which we vouch we will continue to give, but we need the support of the Authorities to make sure that we are able to do this without such incidents. More Police monitoring is required until a culprit is caught and brough to justice. We will then name and shame.

We now have to rebuild this site, ten new bins, a new decorative lamp post and unfortunately the two palm trees which will now not survive this ordeal. The case is now left in the able hands of the Police Force. We are sure they are committed to solve this case and hopefully it will not end with the remaining list of unsolved cases. We thank them before hand for their commitment good work to solve this case.

Article by Joe Attard, CEO of Green Mt

EU Task Force identifies 2,000 potential projects worth €1.3 trillion – The EU Task Force on Investment published a report showing that there is significant potential for investment in Europe. It identifies around 2,000 projects across Europe worth some €1.3 trillion of potential investments, out of which over €500 billion worth of projects could potentially be implemented over the next three years.
Many of these projects are currently not being realised due to financial, regulatory or other barriers. Vice-President Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, said: “This report shows there are huge investment needs and viable projects that could lift economic growth and open up more job opportunities in Europe. There has been a severe disconnect between the available investment and credible projects on the ground. We are now taking a big step to restore investor confidence and connect the two.” Any project identified by the Task Force will have to be assessed thoroughly before being considered for finance. The central idea is to provide a pipeline of trustworthy projects which will restore investor confidence and unlock private sector investment to complement finance from Member States and the EU.

For more information can be found at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-2480_en.htm

The European Commission has just made public the imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of certain prepared or preserved citrus fruits (namely mandarins, etc.) and certain aluminum foil originating in the People’s Republic of China.

The details for the importation of citrus fruits can be accessed through the link below:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_354_R_0004&from=EN.

 

The details for the importation of certain aluminum foils can be accessed through the link below:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:JOC_2014_444_R_0007&from=EN

Free E-Guide by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work – The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has officially launched the e-guide on managing stress and psychosocial risks.

The e-guide has been developed as part of the Health Workplace Manage Stress campaign, which aims to raise awareness on stress and other psychosocial risks that may be present at the place of work. The e-guide that has been also developed in Maltese language, will serve as a practical tool for employers and workers in addressing stress and psychosocial risks. The e-guide provides users with relevant national resources on stress and psychosocial risks and includes explanations, advice and examples on how stress and psychosocial risks can be addressed. Despite the fact that stress and psychosocial risks are considered one of the main concerns for workers’ health and safety, such risks are not being identified and managed in an appropriate manner.

 

The e-guide is free of charge and can be accessed online at: http://bit.ly/1BoJsDp

GRTU has had the opportunity to present its priorities for Budget 2015 on numerous occasions at MCESD and directly with a number of Ministers. Unfortunately we received mixed messages on what actually might happen, which leaves us feeling uneasy.

GRTU has put in all the efforts and pressure possible to lobby for what it believes Maltese SMEs are in need of. The only thing that we can do now is wait patiently till next Monday to see whether the message has been delivered and if not decide on the action that needs to be taken.

Unfair Competition

We want to see results and decisive action that addresses the problems we have been strongly highlighting, which have been driving bona fide Maltese enterprises out of business. GRTU is not requesting rash action but it is expecting the Government to take courageous decisions and stand for what it believes in. A year ago Government promised us action in its Budget 2014 speech and so far nothing has materialised.

 

Removing the Eco-Tax

We want Government to keep its promise of avoiding putting honest businesses at a disadvantage. The status quo will no longer be tolerated. GRTU suggested abolishing the Eco Tax in its totality and in its stead implementing the WEEE Directive, which is an EU Directive very similar in scope to the Eco Tax. The Directive should be implemented in the same way it is implemented in other Member States to ensure a level playing field. It is pertinent to note that Malta has already been given a number of infringements in relation to the WEEE Directive and leaving it on the shelf is no longer an option. The single issue that appears to be holding the Government back from total abolition is the €8 Million that Government derives from this tax.

 

Cost of finance

Government promised us it would examine the situation, a year ago, and see whether there is room for corrective action. We have so far been failed by our regulators, the MFSA and the MCCAA. Even the regulators seem powerless when it comes to the banks. The regulators are our only hope for justice. GRTU as the prime interested party is not aware what advancements and what results have been extrapolated. A whole year that should have been used to collect and analyse has so far not reaped any results.

 

Licenses for commercial vehicles

GRTU has called on Government to retract on the increases imposed on licenses of Commercial vehicles. The increase was announced by the previous Government in Budget 2009 and entered into force by the present Government in Budget 2014. Neither Government felt the need to consult the main stakeholders or carry an economic impact assessment to see how increases in commercial licences ranging from 33% to 344% will affect the private sector. GRTU members have reported very negative effects and no one wants to take responsibility.

Il-Green MT illum, 14 ta` Novembru, prezentat kawza ta` libell kontra l-Editur ta’ “L-Orizzont”, fuq l-artiklu malafamanti u libelluz li gie ppublikat mill-istess gazzetta imsemmi “Se jkollhom ihallsu intortament ghal Eko-Kontribuzzjoni”.

Green MT qed izzomm lill-Editur ta’ “L-Orizzont” responsabbli ukoll, apparti mid-dani naxxenti mill-malafama, ghal kull telf finanzjarju li l-kumpanija Green MT jista’ jkollha fil-futur minhabba allegazzjonijiet infondati u informazzjoni skoretta.

Ir-Rapport li nghata lill-MEPA kull tlett xhur u fl-ahhar tas-sena 2012, ma fih l-ebda informazzjoni dwar kemm ipoggu fis-suq skart tal-ippakeggjar membri tal-iskema li huma ezenti mill-Eko Kontribuzzjoni. Ir-Rapport jelenka lammont totali ta’ membri ta’ skema u kemm ipoggu fis-suq kollha flimkien. L-Obbligi ta’ dan ir-rapport jaqaw that l-obbligazzjoni tal-permess tal-operat li jinhareg mill-MEPA taht avviz legali 277 ta’ 2006.

L-Iskop makkjaveljan ta’ dan l-Artiklu huwa intenzjonat biex membri ta’ Green MT li llum ghandhom certifikat provizjonali ta’ ezenzjoni mill-Eko Kontribuzzjoni ghas-sena 2014, u li dalwaqt ser ikollhom japplikaw ghal ezenzjoni ghas-sena 2015 jaqillbu l-Iskema u jmorru ma’ Green Pak. Dan ikun ifisser li Green MT titlef introjtu finanzjarju konsiderevoli u jkollha twaqqaf l-operat taghha.

Jidher fic-car li ghal ragunijiet mhux maghrufa l-Editur ta’ “L-Orizzont” qed jaghti appogg totali lill-Green Pak. Dan mhux l-ewwel Artiklu f’sensiela li ippublikat “L-Orizzont”.

L-Orizzont jidher li qed tahdem bi shih biex jinholoq il-monopolju fis-settur tal-gbir tal-iskart tal-ipakeggjar, billi tibqa` biss il-Green Pak waheda bhala skema awtorizzata f’pajjizna.

According to the Electrical Accessories Regulations (S.L. 427.51), any electrical product placed on the market in Malta should be fitted with an appropriate termination. The domestic electrical system in Malta uses the 3 pin plug system. This means that sockets and plugs need to adhere to the BS 1363 standard.

An electrical product with a non 3 pin plug can either be fitted with a 3 pin plug or else supplied with a proper conversion plug such as those seen in the images below. A conversion plug must be fitted in such a way that a tool is required to remove it. The need for a conversion plug is primarily for safety reasons and to prevent people from suffering electrical shocks when trying to insert a non-3 pin plug into a 3 pin socket outlet whilst also ensuring a fused electrical supply to the appliance.

The Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority informs importers and retailers of the duty they have to supply such electrical appliances fitted with a 3 pin plug or suitable adapter before the consumer receives the said product. Consumers should ensure that electrical appliances are fitted with these connections before they receive the product.

 

For more information, call the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority on 2395 2000.

The Juncker Commission is committed to restoring citizens’ confidence by demonstrating that the EU can deliver for them on the big challenges facing European economies and societies. That starts with setting the right priorities for the 2015 Commission Work Programme.

The preparation of the Work Programme was initiated, with First Vice-President Frans Timmermans launching a process of discussion within the College and with the European Parliament and for the first time the Member States in the Council. Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: ‘People all around the EU are telling us they want change. They want Europe to focus more where it can help solve the big problems: jobs, growth and fairness in our societies. Citizens want Europe to improve their lives, not meddle with them. Businesses want Europe to enhance their competitiveness, not burden them with red tape.

This Commission is committed to a fresh start, with better priority in what we do and a better way of doing it. Our first work programme will concentrate on a limited set of concrete initiatives which can make a positive difference for citizens. And for the first time we will work in dialogue with both the European Parliament and the Member States to build support for our programme, because proposals are only useful if they are adopted, accepted and implemented properly on the ground.’ The Commission Work Programme will translate the ten points of the Political Guidelines, the Juncker Commission’s political contract with the European Parliament, and the European Council’s Strategic Agenda for the Union in Times of Change, into concrete deliverables

GRTU and the Central Bank of Malta are conducting a survey to help us understand how businesses deal with payments and the problems they encounter.

The survey takes only 10 minutes to fill in but your input is VERY important because based on the results GRTU will be working with the central bank to improve any problems you will outline.

The survey can be accessed through the link:

http://grtu.net/surveys/index.php?sid=27

Your response will remain anonymous and completely confidential.