Category: Archive – 2011

GRTU Requests supportive Action – The recent fuel hike has brought the transportation sector to its knees. Whether Government likes it or not, it is time to double think the way Enemalta with the support of the Malta Resource Authority are taking us all for a ride. GRTU cannot accept any more a strategy that simply places Government as a transmission belt for fuel price increases, and MRA and Enemalta are Government.

 

 

Transparancy is gone from the vocabulary of the authorities where fuel increases are concerned.

To give first an example, a waste carrier operating in one locality who in January 2010 signed a new contract with a Local Council to collect mixed waste is today, as of March 01, 2011 spending €787 more monthly for diesel expenses. This, with an average operation of 18 days a month. €787 addittional cost is incurred by two vehicles.  This carrier can thank GRTU for taking the Government to task in 2009, and negotiating an escalation clause for fuels for new contracts. Otherwise not taking into consideration further increases in twelve calendar months to come, the said contractor would have had to fork out an addittional €9444.

At least this contractor can now invoice the new fuel price escalation to the Local Council. However many new contracts remain either not even issued for tender, or their tenders issued but no final decision has been made. Take Gozo, not one Local Council has as yet signed a new agreement.

Not signing a new contract means the contractor will deliver the service to the Local Council at a price fixed seven or eight years ago, in some instances ten years ago. Utterly not acceptable. A state of fact is that in 2006 the price of disel was €0.43 per litre. This is first one sector of transport. All other transporters represented by GRTU – bowser owners, jobbers, burdnara and other haulers, construction materials haulers and so many others using vehicles for deliveries and distribution supply cannot take this attitude of disregard from the authorities. These transporters cannot simply pass on the cost to the end purchaser and then onwards to the consumer.

GRTU  is not for confrontation but GRTU cannot accept a situation where everything goes irrespective of the damages to so many micro firms. Our members, from the transport and distribution networks have to pay thier fuel bill at the end of the month to the Station owner who is also our member and the station owner has to pay Enemalta and if the carrier does not come up with the funds, Enemalta stops supplies. Its a viscious circle, so were putting our foot down! That is why Government intervention is a must

The time for an amatuer approach is over. The reality is that with the way Government continues to treat this issue, next month the situation will be worse. Next month will see further increases and the month after even more. This is the reality of the current scenario. There is no beating round the bush. If your a haulage contractor, a transport contractor, a business that depends heavily on fuels, GRTU urges you to get down to work and discuss escalation clauses for fuel increases wherever you have business on going.

Further to its press release of yesterday, GRTU advises that it has set up a bank account for people who wish to donate money in aid of the Libyan people's needs at the present critical time.

The details are as follows:

Bank Account GRTU Libya Crisis:

 Bank account number:        0144010268800 (Lombard Bank)

 Iban No:                                 MT48 LBMA 0500 0000 0001 4401 0268 800

 Swift Code:                            LBMAMTMT

 

GRTU is urging Maltese businesses and other interested parties to donate money, specific food items and also pharmaceuticals and medical goods normally used in Accident and Emergency environments.

We have been advised that the specific terms most in need are baby foods, nappies/diapers, and baby milk. Tinned or packed food is also being accepted.

Food items can be delivered to the GRTU premises in Republic Street, Valletta. For bulky food items one can call on 99499401 for specific arrangements.

Pharmaceuticals and medical goods are being collected in a specific place. In this regard, we ask parties who wish to donate these items to call on 99499401 as well so that arrangements can be made.

GRTU wishes to thank all those who have already contributed so generously, whilst at the same moment we urge those businesses who can give to do so. The situation in Libya is very critical and whatever Malta sends will be of great help.

Mindful of the scenes being played out before our very eyes in our neighbour Libya, GRTU is calling on Maltese businesses and their partners and counterparts in the EU to donate items that are running out in Libyan hospitals.

 

In the medical field, GRTU is calling for Accident and Emergency items and pharmaceuticals, antibiotic preparations in all forms, bandages, IV fluids, analgesics and pain management medications, orthopaedic supplies, splints, sutures and any other medications and medical consumables that are consonant with injuries normally seen in a war zone. Monetary donations are also being accepted.

GRTU is making arrangements for donated items to be gathered in one central location in Malta for onward delivery to Libya as soon as the situation allows it.

We are appealing to Malta's traditional generosity at this time. Libya is not just another country. It is a country that we Maltese have known and worked in for many years. By and large, our workers and businesses in Libya have contributed to Malta's current standard of living. Many Maltese have Libyan friends and associates, and there are ties of friendship that go beyond the political rhetoric of the past. Libya is one of our closest neighbours, and it's our Christian duty to help them in this hour of need.

GRTU has set up a special email address on . One can also call on 21232881 and ask for Miss L. Said, or else on telephone number 99499401.

 

GRTU sets up an account for donations to the Libyan people

 

GRTU advises that it has set up a bank account for people who wish to donate money in aid of the Libyan people's needs at the present critical time.

The details are as follows

Bank account number:    0144010268800 (Lombard Bank)

Iban No:             MT48 LBMA 0500 0000 0001 4401 0268 800

Swift Code:                       LBMAMTMT

GRTU is urging Maltese businesses and other interested parties to donate money, specific food items and also pharmaceuticals and medical goods normally used in Accident and Emergency environments.

We have been advised that the specific items most in need are baby foods, nappies / diapers, and baby milk. Tinned or packed food is also being accepted.

Food items can be delivered to the GRTU premises in Republic Street, Valletta. For bulky food items one can call on 99499401 for specific arrangements.

Pharmaceuticals and medical goods are being collected in a specific place. In this regard, we ask parties who wish to donate these items to call on 99499401 as well so that arrangements can be made.

GRTU wishes to thank all those who have already contributed so generously, whilst at the same moment we urge those businesses who can give to do so. The situation in Libya is very critical and whatever Malta sends will be of great help.

Have you ever been annoyed for not being able to borrow a friend's or a colleague's mobile phone charger because it wasn't compatible with your phone? This era is coming to an end. A common charger compatible with mobile phones of all brands is the simple idea that the Commission has been pushing for many years.

 

 

 

Thanks to the cooperation between fourteen companies and the European Commission the solution is there: onechargerforall.eu. New technical standards for data-enabled mobile phones were published on 29 December 2010. Today, Vice President Antonio Tajani receives a sample of a compatible common charger from Bridget Cosgrave, Director-General of DIGITALEUROPE, the largest Association of European digital technology industry.

"I welcome the roll out of new chargers for mobile phones based on the new EU standard. This is genuine good news for the European consumer. Now we await the arrival of the new charger and compatible mobile phones on the shelves. I urge industry to speed up their introduction in the market to enable citizens throughout the EU to enjoy the advantages of a common charger as soon as possible" said European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship.

This marks the start of an implementation process triggered by the European Commission. The support of the Commission has enabled manufacturers to deliver this benefit to European consumers in a relatively short period of time. The EU has achieved the common charging solution using a common-sense approach that benefits everyone – without the need for any new regulation. The Commission will work with industry so that European consumers can profit from the initiative as soon as possible.

The publication of the standards in December 2010 means that mobile phone manufacturers can now proceed with required design and testing changes for chargers ensuring compatible phones are safe and interoperable. Compatible data-enabled mobile telephones of different brands can now operate with the same common charger – a big step forward for mobile phone users. The fourteen manufacturers have agreed to introduce the new common mobile phone chargers onto the European market in the course of 2011.

Background

Incompatibility of mobile phone chargers causes not only inconveniences for users, but is also an important environmental issue in the European Union. Mobile phone users who wish to replace their mobile phones are often required to purchase a new charger, regardless of the condition of the existing one.

Following a request from the European Commission, fourteen major mobile phone manufacturers agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to harmonise chargers for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU. The MoU signatory companies include Apple, Emblaze Mobile, Huawei Technologies, LGE, Motorola Mobility, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research In Motion (RIM), Samsung, Sony Ericsson, TCT Mobile (ALCATEL mobile phones), Texas Instruments and Atmel.

Following a mandate from the European Commission, the European Standardisation Bodies CEN-CENELEC and ETSI issued the harmonised standards to be adhered to by data-enabled mobile phones compatible with the new common charger as of 2011. The common charger solution is based in the Micro-USB connector technology. For phones that do not have a Micro-USB interface an adapter is allowed under the Memorandum of Understanding.

The agreement covers data-enabled mobile phones, i.e. those that can be plugged into a computer to exchange for example pictures, files and music. Data-enabled mobile phones are already predominant on the market. So called smartphones are a segment of data-enabled mobile phones.

General Background on ESF 37 Project – Study on job creation and job training in the environmental sector

The state of the environment is closely linked to the quality of life of the Maltese, as well as to the Maltese economy. A healthy and sustainable environment is considered to be a crucial prerequisite to Malta's future development and competitiveness.

 

During the last few years the Maltese Government has made the environment one of its priorities for government action and measures. This has been reflected in all major government policy papers, such as the National Reform Programme, the yearly pre-budget and budget document and the Structural Funds operational programmes dedicating a whole chapter to the environment.

Investment in the environment sector has been a recognised major strategic priority in Malta's 2004-2006 Cohesion spending. Indeed, over 40 per cent of the global amount of Structural and Cohesion Funds for this period have been allocated to the Environmental sector.

It is also clear that the major challenges that the Maltese economy will have to face in its future years if it wants to maintain and even upgrade the quality of life of its citizens on the islands and remain an attractive tourist destination are all environment related. As a result, Malta will continue to emphasise on the need for sustainable development and consequently, the promotion of environmental protection will become increasingly important. Malta will also have to implement the EU acquis in this sector. It is believed that the expansion of the environmental sector will create employment opportunities.

The ETC, as one of the major training providers and employment agency, constantly strives to respond to the labour market needs through the provision of specialised training courses. capable to adapt to the changing economic environment. Considering that most employment growth is provided by the expansion of new sectors of the economy, the increased emphasis on the environment sector will not only lead to improved standards of living but will also contribute to job creation. It is in this context that the ETC, in its endeavors to be proactive regarding future skills demand, wanted to explore the availability and sustainability of jobs in the environmental sector – or what are more commonly known as "green jobs" – within the context of the Maltese labour market. The ETC also wanted to learn about the skills needed for these jobs in order to devise training programmes accordingly. This study was thus launched to identify, quantify and classify the jobs that will be created in this sector as well as the training needs required to prepare the Maltese workforce for such jobs.

All new types of passenger cars and small delivery vans will have to be equipped with Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Trucks and buses will follow suit 18 months later, in August 2012. DRL lights are special lamps which automatically switch on when the engine is started. They are expected to increase road safety as they substantially raise the visibility of motor vehicles for other road users.

 

 

 

They also have a low energy consumption rate compared with existing 'dipped-beam' head lights. In countries where DRL is already obligatory it has been hailed as a very positive development in the field of road safety.

European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, responsible for industry and entrepreneurship said: "Daytime running lights will make an important contribution to our goal of reducing casualties on European roads. This is also good news for environment protection as the lower energy consumption rates will reduce CO2 emissions compared to normal lights".

In 2009, more than 35,000 people were killed on European roads and, for every death, there are an estimated four permanently disabling injuries, ten serious injuries and 40 minor injuries. These numbers are falling thanks to a range of measures, including better safety technology for vehicles, safer road infrastructure and improved driver training.

According to recent research on DRL, road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists can detect vehicles equipped with DRL more clearly and sooner than those equipped with dipped beam head lights. On vehicles equipped with DRL, the light is automatically switched on when the engine is started. When it is dark the driver has to switch on the driving lights manually. In this case the DRL goes off automatically.

From an environmental point of view, DRL is an effective solution for improving the visibility of vehicles. As the technology is designed to be used during the daytime it is much more effective and efficient than existing lighting devices. The energy consumption is approximately 25 – 30 % of the consumption of a standard driving light. When using the LED (Light Emitting Diode) for DRL, the energy consumption is further reduced to only 10%.

Directive 2008/89/EC on the obligatory fitting of vehicles with DLR, which comes into force today, will greatly contribute to the safety of Europe's roads. It will harmonise national requirements on the mandatory fitting of DRL to new types of vehicles which up to now have been varying greatly between EU Member States.

The Malta Standards Authority (MSA) and MEUSAC are organising an information session on the new legal provisions that will apply to persons involved in the manufacture, importation or distribution of toys.

 

The current EU Toy Directive (88/378/EEC) was enacted more than 20 years ago. Therefore, the directive in its present form can no longer provide comprehensive coverage for toy safety. The new Toy Directive (2009/48/EC) was published in 2009 and comes into force this July. The provisions relating to new chemical requirements will be effective from July 2013 onwards.

Users and interested organisations are invited to attend for this information session. Safety issues covered include physical, chemical, electrical and hygiene risks in toys.

The session, which will be conducted in Maltese, is being held as follows:

Date: Tuesday, February 22        Time: 14:00 – 15:30         Venue: Europe House, 254 St Paul Street, Valletta

GRTU warmly welcomed the resolution on the next generation of SME finance programmes adopted by a large majority at the European Parliament (EP). We feel the document sums up very well the main challenges facing European SMEs when it comes to access to finance and provides a comprehensive set of possible measures to improve the status quo. The organisation particularly appreciated the resolution's calls for tailored measures adapted to the reality of SMEs, which are very heterogeneous and go from traditional and family-run businesses to high-tech and fast growing companies. It also backed the need to address market failures, to create better and more complete funding programmes and to remove administrative barriers that limit the uptake of the existing schemes.

 

The Parliament made it clear that there is no „one-size-fits-all‟ answer to their needs, and that each of them requires tailored interventions that respect this diversity. It also stressed that market failures must be addressed and red tape linked to SME finance programmes must be reduced, two points that we have also put forward quite vocally and frequently.

Traditional and family-run businesses depending on loan financing must be supported mainly via guarantees. The existing guarantee instruments have proved their worth, but administrative procedures must be simplified and the use of structural funds in this respect should be made easier, also according to the Parliament's resolution. On the other hand, small businesses working on riskier projects such as innovation, start-ups and business transfers will require "mezzanine finance" instruments capable of carrying a higher degree of risk. Unfortunately, these instruments are not yet provided to a sufficient degree by the market – that is why the Parliament's resolution calls for more attention to "mezzanine finance" in the next generation of programmes. Moreover, the text stresses that high-tech and fast growing companies will not develop without a functioning market for venture capital, equity and bonds.

The Parliament's resolution is also very clear on the need to strengthen and improve functioning SME finance schemes, calling for instance for more funding for the "CIP" programme and for innovative financial instruments. Furthermore, it places a clear emphasis on the necessity to reduce administrative barriers, which often trigger excessive expenses in time and money for small companies compared to the benefits of the relatively small amounts that they receive.

The resolution approved by MEPs today provides a solid action path for the next months and years. We are thankful to all members of the European Parliament, in particular to those belonging to the SME Intergroup for the preparatory work. It is now up to the European Commission to take over responsibility and to ensure that these recommendations are fully taken on board.

GRTU's Renewable Energy Section has today met at the GRTU to discuss the Solar Water Heaters and Photovoltaics Rebate Scheme. The meeting was very well attended and all present made very valid contributions. The meeting was chaired by the president representing the sector and GRTU Council Member Noel Gauci. Prior to this meeting another preparatory meeting was also held and several meetings with the MRA to iron out the issues the sector had to put forward.

 

Solar Water Heaters

Applications

Even though the MRA has now accepted receiving applications by post all present agreed that if consumers wanted they could have their application checked by a knowledgeable person and receive an acknowledgement.

The application was also simplified so that consumers do not have to indicate how much income they have and there is no longer the requirement to provide pictures before, only after.

Technician Courses

Here was general agreement that the requirements set are difficult to reach so much so that there is currently very low participation and GRTU is therefore studying the possibility to start offering these courses itself if the requirements remain so high.

Price of products

Members complained that sometimes the MRA enquires about the price of a product if it sees it as high or increase. GRTU is of the belief that consumers have a vast choice and higher prices usually result in better products. GRTU therefore advised its members that MRA are providing public funds and they should have some form of possibility to enquire however they can go no further as there cannot be any price fixing. To be fair only very few cases of such were reported.

Use of funds

It was decided that if funds are not taken up more funds should go into advertisement.

Photovoltaics

Increase in panels

GRTU is disappointed that MRA has declined the sector of the possibility to add panels to an existing system which is designed to take more panels. We firmly believe that this will only help Malta in becoming more dependable of renewable energy. There are consumers who were skeptical of the technology but still decided to try it out. These now want to increase panels on a system that is equipped for more panels as they have experienced the benefits. These however have to wait 5 years as MRA will not let them touch the system.

Deposits

MRA had put forward a suggestion that an energy audit is carried out at a fee for potential clients however this was voted against as it would be something to add bureaucracy.

Launch

GRTU is chasing and insisting with the MRA to launch the scheme as soon as possible as the sector is in dire need for the scheme to be launched and we have already started to experience redundancies.

On a general note the participants agreed that the GRTU should continue pushing Government for repeated schemes, which the GRTU will do.