Category: Archive – 2010

Eight European organisations of social partners have adopted joint Guidelines (www.epsu.org/a/6782) setting out the practical steps that can be taken by employers, workers and trade unions to tackle problems of third-party violence in a range of different service sectors.  The guidelines have been agreed by CEMR, CoESS, EFEE, EPSU, ETUCE, EuroCommerce, HOSPEEM and UNI Europa, all sectors which face the challenge of violence originating from members of the public.

 

The European Working Conditions Survey shows that almost one in ten workers in the EU report having suffered violence, bullying or harassment at work in the previous year (results 2005 survey).  According to the survey, carried out by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, third party violence at the hands of clients, customers or patients is more common than violence from work colleagues.  Threats of violence and actual violence from third parties are most common in a variety of sectors.

The eight sectors are increasingly concerned about the impact of such violence since it not only undermines the health and dignity of individual workers, but also has a very real economic impact in terms of absences from the workplace, morale and staff turnover.

The Guidelines are the outcome of a two-year process supported by the European Commission to assess the issues through research, workshops and the exchange of best practices.  The Guidelines aim to:

Increase awareness and understanding of employers, workers, their representatives and other public authorities (e.g. health and safety agencies, police, etc) of the issue of third party violence

Demonstrate the commitment of social partners to working together and sharing experiences and good practice to help prevent and manage problems of harassment and/or violence instigated by third parties and reduce the impact on employees' health and well-being, sickness absence and productivity.

Provide employers, workers and their representatives at all levels with Guidelines to identify, prevent manage and tackle problems of work related harassment and violence instigated by third parties.

The Guidelines complement the cross-sectoral agreement on violence and harassment at work, adopted in 2007.

CEMR, CoESS, EFEE, EPSU, ETUCE, EuroCommerce, HOSPEEM and UNI Europa will work together to implement the Guidelines in all member states.

1st Edition of the International Exhibition of Industry's Partnership and Innovation "Tunis-Medindustrie"

11-15 June 2011 in the exhibition centre of Kram

This show is dedicated  to industrial sectors (mechanical, electrical, electronics, plastics, rubber and packaging) as well as engineering and programming, measurement and control, maintenance, training… More information on this event could be found on: www.tunis-medindustrie.com. 

In addition for the program of Fairs and Exhibitions scheduled to be held in the Exhibition Grounds and International Trade Centre of Tunis during 2011 kindly visit: www.fkram.com.tn

A new framework directive titled Directive 2010/30/EU on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by energy-related products will replace current Directive 92/75/EC. 

 

This directive does not itself mandate any requirements to energy related products unless they are defined in so called Delegated Regulations implemented under it. Delegated Regulations are European legal acts that the Commission has been given the power to implement from the parent act – in this case Directive 2010/30/EC. The main requirements of the new framework directive are:

The label can be applied to other resources besides energy use (e.g. water consumption);

The energy label will have a language neutral format (i.e. symbols will identify the various values);

The highest energy class that potentially  can be displayed is A+++;

New requirements as regards advertisements, brochures and website displaying products which require an energy label will apply;

Suppliers (i.e. including  manufacturer, and importers ) are responsible 

for supplying the printed energy label,

for the accuracy of the labels supplied,

for supplying a product fiche,

of having available the necessary technical documentation,

to ensure advertisements (including the internet) display the relevant energy efficiency class,

technical promotional material includes the appropriate energy efficiency class (even on the internet)

Dealers (i.e. including retailers) are responsible for

ensuring that each product bears the relevant energy label at the point of sale,

ensuring that the appropriate energy label is displayed clearly and in a visible position,

ensuring advertisements (including the internet) display the relevant energy efficiency class,

technical promotional material (including the internet) includes the appropriate energy efficiency class,

The text of the frame work directive maybe found at: eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:153:0001:0012:EN:PDF

For more information contact Abigail Mamo @ GRTU.

The Machinery for Pesticide Application Regulations amends the Machinery Regulations and introduces additional essential environmental protection requirements that must be fulfilled by new machinery for pesticide application before it is placed on the market and put into service.

 

The essential environmental protection requirements for the design and construction of new machinery for pesticide application are included in the Machinery Regulations in order to ensure consistency with Directive 2009/128/EC which establishes a framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides.

Machinery for pesticide application means machinery specifically intended for the application of plant protection products within the meaning of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market.

Machinery for pesticide application includes self-propelled, towed, vehicle-mounted, semi-mounted and airborne machinery, as well as stationary machinery intended for pesticide application, both for professional and non-professional use. It also includes powered or manually-operated portable and handheld machinery with a pressure chamber.

The aim of the Machinery for Pesticide Application Regulations is to lay down requirements on the design and construction of machinery for pesticides application in order to reduce the adverse effects of pesticides on human health and the environment.

This change effects manufacturers, authorised representatives, importers and distributors. For full text kindly contact Abigail Mamo @ GRTU.

ATTN: Manufacturers, Importers, Transporters, Distributors and Retailers of  PESTICIDES (Plant Protection Products)

Today to Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Store, Distribute and Sell pesticides (Plant Protection Products) you require to authorised by the Malta Standards Authority. To become Authorised you must attend a short coarse (free of charge) starting the 28th of October.

Contact Bernice Cutajar at GRTU if you carry out any one of these activities.

Daily Bulletin

21st October 2010

Masonry works in Opera house

Continuation of clearing out of demolished waste material on Freedom Square

 

Alteration of chute in the Tunnel

Trial pit survey and assessment of structures

Borehole drilling in the Tunnel

Commencement of cabling for safety lighting throughout the site

CCTV cabling works

Finishes to Accommodation (handrails, walkways, furnishing)

20th October 2010

Clearing of demolition debris on freedom Square

Exportation of material through the chute via Ditch

CCTV installation in Ditch

Borehole drilling in Tunnel

Opera House restoration: opening of blocked doorways

Finishes to the accommodation

Pedestrian/vehicles segregation throughout the site

Commencement of Wheel washes operation

19th October 2010

Exploratory excavation of small tunnel under City Gate Bridge

Plumbing of cabins

Electric works in Ditch

CCTV installation (cabling)

Chute setting out

Borehole drilling in the Yellow Garage

Protection of vibration instrumentation in the Tunnel

Trial Pit on the City Gate Bridge

Trial Pit near the BOV / Police Station

19th October 2010

Transport Malta:

Re enforcing protection grills at Archbishop Street

City Gate:

Setting out of cabins in Ditch

Boreholes drilling in the Yellow Garage

Trial Pit on the City gate Bridge

Clearing of demolished materials on Freedom Square

Chute setting out in Tunnel

14th October 2010

Transport Malta 

digging of holes at Merchant Street

Fixing of permanent pedestrian bollards at Archbishop Street

City Gate

Geothermal boreholes

Trial pits at city gate

Demolition of the loggia

Construction of steps to the accommodation

Site electrical installations – general lighting etc

Commence CCTV installation

OH restoration works

Wheel washes testing

13th October 2010

Transport Malta 

Fixing of parking markers at St Christopher Street

Digging of holes at Merchant Street

City Gate (Bovis)

Demolition of loggia under Pope Pius

Geothermal boreholes

Trail pit son city gate bridge

Plumbing and electrical connections to the site accommodation

Completion of hoarding works

General welding works e.g. making covers for MDB's and smoking shelters

Working late tonight removing cornices etc to City Gate

12th October 2010

Transport Malta 

Fixing of pedestrian bollards at Archbishop Street

City Gate (BOVIS)

Geothermal boreholes in yellow garage

Demolition of the loggia under Pope Pius

Plumbing and wiring of the site accommodation units

OH restoration works, masonry works

Trial pits on City Gate

11th October 2010

Transport Malta

Fixing of numbers and color coding signs at Merchant Street and Archbishop Street

BOVIS – City Gate

Geothermal boreholes in yellow tunnel

Welding of handrail to the new temporary staircase, and then opening the staircase

Closing of the hoarding upon opening of the staircase

Scarifying the ramp to the yellow tunnel

Plumbing to the site cabins

Clearing of demolition material

Commence demolition of the loggia under Pope Pius working from St James Cavalier towards City Gate

Restoration of the Opera House – masonry works

8th October 2010

Transport Malta

Fixing of pedestrian bollards at Merchant Street 

BOVIS

Inspection of the St James Cavalier footpath, BLL/AP & TBA, now that demolition is complete. It appears to be on rock so we hope to reopen the footpath by lunchtime.

Breaking up of demolition waste

Inspection of the new staircase with BLL/GHRC/AP/Polidano

Erection of the staircases to the accommodation in the ditch

Geothermal boreholes

Instrumentation monitoring

Opera House – Erection of safety fencing, Restoration of masonry

7th October 2010

Transport Malta 

fixing of pedestrian bollards at Merchant Street

BOVIS

Closing the St James Cavalier footpath (agreed with St James Cavalier)

Continue demolition of the loggia adjacent St James cavalier

Continue demolition of shops adjacent St James Cavalier once item 1 above complete

Geothermal boreholes in the tunnel

Instrumentation monitoring

Installation of the accommodation in the Ditch

Terracore marking out services with the utilities in preparation to commence       trial pits on the City Gate bridge

5th October 2010

Paving Works 

Fixing of pedestrian bollards and parking markers at Merchant Street

BOVIS

Demolition of Freedom Square shops

Geothermal boreholes

Installation of accommodation cabins in the ditch

Trial pits in the ditch

OH restoration works

3d survey of the OH

Instrumentation monitoring

Snagging of the hoarding

4th October 2010

Preparatory demolition works

OH restoration works

Installation of site accommodation

Geothermal boreholes

Completion of hoarding works

Trial pits in the ditch

Just a day after GRTU together with the Valletta Local Council suggested that the St James ditch, the place where the Sunday market sets up is the ideal place to be used as a temporary parking place, the Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport and Communications (MITC) informs that MEPA has given the green light for St. James Ditch to be transformed into a bus terminus.

 

However, GRTU during a meeting held on Monday 11^th October with officials from MITC continued to insist that until the new bus terminus commences with its services in January 2011, the ditch should be temporarily organized into a parking area. Although GRTU is totally in favour of the ongoing and more proposed upgrading works in the capital city, it is in the meantime preoccupied about the problem of parking now that the Christmas festivities are nearing.

In the meantime a total of 200 new parking bays should be made available in the coming days in the vicinity of the Phoenicia Hotel. Another 100 spaces will be available outside City Gate to replace the ones lost due to the City Gate embellishment projects.  GRTU is also in discussions for the provision of an extra 200 spaces in a number of vital locations servicing Valletta. Moreover, the MCP Car Park in Floriana and the Park and Ride areas in the environs of Floriana and Blata l-Bajda will each be extended by another 500 parking spaces. New spaces at Park and Ride will be replacing the tal-White Complex that will be removed as the embellishment projects are underway.

GRTU understands that this option may need further planning before being put into practice but since government will be embellishing the area for the new bus terminus, the area can in the meantime be utilized to alleviate the parking problem since shop owners, shoppers and people who work in Valletta and who often need to run quick errands in the city, are facing a continues problem with parking.

The GRTU committee is discussing this option and others deemed viable and expresses its concern as to when the proposed new spaces will finally be established. GRTU has also welcomed the temporary solution of having Members of Parliament parking in Merchants Street in the afternoon as long as the solution is temporary one. Following this move a number of parking spaces in Archbishop Street and Republic Street have been regained.

Other issues discussed were the fine tuning of the CVA and also the Park and Ride (Carnival Village area) with the capacity of 216 spaces not so popular with the users because it is about two/five minutes walk to the terminus. It also lacks adequate signage.

GRTU continues to inform its members about the Valletta Project Plan 2010 – 2011 via newSTRING. The Valletta Project Plan 2010 – 2011 will be exhibited at the GRTU Headquarters in Republic Street.

The problems Malta is experiencing are felt more acute in Gozo because Gozo suffers from lower employment levels and double insularity issues. This unavoidably creates a very negative attitude amongst the cross section of the Gozitan population and enterprise. Encouragement therefore to enterprise in Gozo plays an essential role. In order for Gozo to achieve the necessary success it needs for economic revival everyone has to contribute his part with a positive attitude. Training and education is key to achieve this aim and Government must focus its investment on Life Long Learning (LLL) within Gozitan entrepreneurs being aided and trained to grab opportunities that come their way and create new ones themselves.

 

Projects and Investments

GRTU would like Government to study and define possible investments and possibilities to attract more tourists to Gozo.

Educate people on the unlimited opportunities that large scale projects will bring to Gozo by highlighting factors such as change management, toolbox and a marketing mix.

Government must decide on a place to allocate for use of the Yacht Marina.

A serious investment plan is to be planned so that eco investment will be achieved, be it a winery, slaughter houses, Yacht Marina or any other investment that might be sustainable. Extra costs incurred for investments earmarked by Government need to be funded or part funded by Government so that there will be full achievement. Government must ensure this is carried out with the appropriate standards.

GRTU would like to see Malta Enterprise step up its efforts to encourage FDI to Gozo. The disadvantages of the double insularity have to be diminished. This can be achieved by giving more attractive incentives and packages than those offered in Malta. Surely something must be done since no action has been taken in these late years.

Funds have to be planned and directed to innovation and start-up centres in Gozo. This together with other positive initiatives such as training schools.

Identify what jobs we want created according to the need during the next 5 to 7 years and training to be done according to these requirements. Gozo currently is suffering from a brain drain. Reason mainly being, that opportunities in Gozo are becoming less, and much harder.

Creation of a fund so that part of the taxes paid from the Gozo businessman will be put here and utilized later on.

It is important that the Gozitan coast is taken care of. Investment is to be encouraged on the coast embellishment.  Most of the Gozitan coasts are looking shabby.

Purchasing incentives need to be included to keep businesses from closing down. Knowing that most of the young generation is moving permanently to Malta, something needs to be done to keep active the present business community. The cost of the Gozo channel fare for the Maltese Citizen is enormous. The ferries are the only way to bridge Malta with Gozo and it is too pricy.

Eco Gozo

Build up the full definition of Eco Gozo and also to emphasize the advances done on the project mentioned.  Eco Gozo must be further incentivized so as to achieve a fully Eco Island.

We do not only have to keep projects and developments constant to achieve the case of Eco Gozo but we have to use the dynamic side of Gozo so that we can achieve progress. A good factor that will help the business sector to reach its levels of competitiveness is continuous development. This will also help businesses in Gozo so as not to be beaten up by competitors.

Permanent connection

The possibilities for a permanent link between Malta and Gozo should be placed on Government's agenda and looked into.

Making Localities more accessible

Business in the upper part of Victoria is slowing down particularly because there is not enough parking in the area.  There are areas which contain such possibilities such the area under the playing field and Football ground. A shelved parking in the parking behind the bus Terminus is another possibility. There is an application from the Cathedral church which has been pending with MEPA for years. The idea of parking in the ditch has been dismissed following MEPA decision that it does not allow parking in such areas when in Malta Not only there is parking in the ditches but in the Bastion itself. Any alternative must create significant parking as otherwise the problem will not be solved.

GRTU is extremely pleased that after years of incessant pressure at national and EU level for the establishment of the necessary legal framework to safeguard and promote the interests of small and micro enterprises, that Malta is finally taking the right step to establish the Small Business (Malta) Act.

 

"GRTU has since the establishment of the EU Small Enterprise Charter at Fiera in 2000 been insisting that an announcement of principles and words in favour of Small Businesses is not enough, these words must be backed by the right legislative framework. GRTU lobbied hard with Government to ensure that even though at EU level the SBA is not an ‘actual act', the Maltese Government would still commit himself from an early stage to implement in Malta the provisions of the SBA framework. It is now essential that Government launches immediately a training programme for all civil servants so that the whole bureaucracy of Government starts practicing what is now being boldly set in the SBMA." stated Vincent Farrugia GRTU Director General.

In its proposals for Budget 2011 (www.grtu.eu) GRTU has once again emphasised "that the "Think Small First" principle is not a reality yet and so far it is not correctly interpreted. The real "Think small first" principle means that the starting point for all legislation (new and revised) should be the smallest enterprises, i.e. the overwhelming majority of enterprises. Rules written for a small business can be easily scaled up to cover bigger enterprises, while the contrary is terribly complicated. Rules must respect the majority of those who will use them. This principle should be used consistently and with more ambition throughout the whole regulatory and implementing process. Applying this principle will dramatically ease administrative burdens. The principle is extremely important but the result is heavily depending on how it is interpreted in the regulatory or implementing situation".

Vince Farrugia has this morning during the launch of the SBA congratulated Dr Jason Azzopardi for the launch of this white paper and insisted strongly that the post of Commissioner for SMEs should be created at a rank equivalent to Permanent Secretaries so that this officer would have the power to ensure that all ministries and authorities submit to the fundamental pillars of the SBA. "GRTU will be monitoring developments and requesting from the Parliamentary Secretary regular reports on the implementation of the SBA" concluded Vince Farrugia at this morning's intervention.