Category: Archive – 2005

GRTU last week has written to Malta Enterprise regarding a meeting with the Ta' Qali Crafts Village operators. During this meeting GRTU had the opportunity to explain to them the ME/MIP policy and urge them to conform as soon as possible so that this project is finally settled.

A number of points from the discussion have been raised:

• The draft contract needs to be amended so that it becomes less burdensome when a second or a third transfer of lease is registered. They feel that the sharp increase in rates applicable will affect the value of the property, given that they will be investing directly from their own funds.
• The vast majority of the operators are willing to finance the building within the planning guidelines as approved by ME/MIP and by MEPA. They however feel that current MEPA charges are too high, given also the fact that ME/MIP/Government have already paid substantial funds to MEPA for the approval of the previous Government proposed project. The operators strongly argue to disagree with MEPA and with the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for tourism and environment for the settlement of a nominal fee per individual permit. MEPA cannot honestly object to such a proposal as it has already been paid handsomely for a project which has still not materialized
• A small number of operators require only small additions and small infrastructural changes and there is no need to go into heavy new construction investment as investment has already been effected throughout the years. The operators argue to be lenient on the absolute figure of the investment commitment, at least in the initial first 5 years.
• Operators are concerned that no discussion has been held on the whole plan for the Crafts Village. They are concerned that they are not aware of important details like exits and entries, parking facilities and the overall circular flow. They feel that before they commit ME/MIP should also be committed to an outline plan which will only be altered with the consent of the lease holders.
• Operators would also prefer to have a specific commitment by ME/MIP on the volume design and standard time-scale of execution of the proposed ME/MIP financed Public Areas investments.
• A number of operators will continue to operate from the area which is incorporated in the National Park zone. These operators would like to have the opportunity to continue to operate as a small craft centre within the National Park. These operators argue to open discussions with the Ministry responsible for the National Park so that this project extension could materialize with the assistance of ME/MIP. This in practice would be an extension of the Ta' Qali Crafts Village.
• The operators also argue to start immediate discussions with the Ministry responsible for transport and Arriva so that public transport services to the Crafts Village even before the new project materializes is improved at least to the level that existed before Arriva started its operations. As things stand today there is no direct service from Valletta, Sliema area and St Paul's Bay/Qawra area, and tourists pass through Ta' Qali without even realizing that the destination "Village" is actually the Crafts Village.
• A number of operators have still not fixed the final appointment with ME/MIP. I strongly argue to cause Ian Robertson to fix appointment with each and everyone.
• A major complaint by the operators concerned the maintenance and cleaning of the public areas. They request you to reconsider these charges. They draw your attention to the fact that most of the dirt and damage is not really caused by people visiting the Crafts Village during opening hours but the Crafts Village is suffering tremendously by the weekend activities held at Numero Uno and the weekend family leisure activities. The litter is a problem, the operators request you to take it up seriously with the authorities concerned so that an enforcement plan could be put into action. The operators request you to consider a maintenance charge that is more commensurate with the lease rates given, also that these operators are self-employed and all additional charges directly affect their take home pay and that they cannot further lower the prices of the crafts they sell as they are already in a competitive un favorable position in relation to imports from the far east.
• The operators also continue to insist that no changes should be made to the current commitment that the lease is reviewable every 25 years, during which no increases and transfer of lease are acceptable.
• Finally, while arguing to press for the earliest resolution of all pending issues, the operators request you to extend the deadline due at the end of September by a suitable period, enough to settle all pending issues.

GRTU will continue to persist in provide its services to ensure that this longstanding issue is finally settled.

GRTU has so far not received a reply

Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – ilha tirraprezenta lis-sidien tal-huts ta’ Ta’ Qali ghall-13 il-sena. Matul dan iz-zmien il-GRTU ghamlet kull sforz possibli biex il-Crafts Village ta’ ta’ Qali jkun upgraded biex jilhaq livell accetabbli ghall-destinazzjoni turistika ta’ valur bhal ma taspira li tkun Malta. Il-GRTU persistetament insistiet li l-progett ikun integrat fil-pjanijiet l-ohra ta’ Ta’ Qali bhal ma hu l-Park Nazzjonali u l-postijiet ta’ rekrejazzjoni u sports skond il-Pjan ta’ azzjoni dwar Ta’ Qali. Il-GRTU fin-negozjati kollha matul dawn is-snin dejjem rat li l-interessi ta’ dawk li investew l-ahjar snin ta’ hajjithom u flushom u t-talenti taghhom biex Ta’ Qali Crafts Village ikun zviluppat ma jitaffgux taht progetti u pjanijiet godda li ma jzommux bhala perm l-craftsmen li huma l-qofol ta’ Crafts Village.

Il-GRTU, Vince Farrugia u s-Sidien tal-Huts ta’ Qali Crafts Village
Il-GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – ilha tirraprezenta lis-sidien tal-huts ta’ Ta’ Qali ghall-13 il-sena. Matul dan iz-zmien il-GRTU ghamlet kull sforz possibli biex il-Crafts Village ta’ ta’ Qali jkun upgraded biex jilhaq livell accetabbli ghall-destinazzjoni turistika ta’ valur bhal ma taspira li tkun Malta. Il-GRTU persistetament insistiet li l-progett ikun integrat fil-pjanijiet l-ohra ta’ Ta’ Qali bhal ma hu l-Park Nazzjonali u l-postijiet ta’ rekrejazzjoni u sports skond il-Pjan ta’ azzjoni dwar Ta’ Qali. Il-GRTU fin-negozjati kollha matul dawn is-snin dejjem rat li l-interessi ta’ dawk li investew l-ahjar snin ta’ hajjithom u flushom u t-talenti taghhom biex Ta’ Qali Crafts Village ikun zviluppat ma jitaffgux taht progetti u pjanijiet godda li ma jzommux bhala perm l-craftsmen li huma l-qofol ta’ Crafts Village.

Vincent Farrugia d-Direttur Generali mexxa l-bicca l-kbira tan-negozjati u ippartecipa f’sieghat twal ta’ diskussjonijiet u sal-lum hadd ma iddubita mill-integrita tieghu. Kien ghalhekk ta’ sorpriza ghall-GRTU li xi hadd insinwa bla ebda bazi ta’ xejn li Vincent Farrugia fuq din il-kwistjoni ghandu ci conflict of interess. Il-GRTU hi sodisfatta ghall ahhar li fuq din l-kwistjoni u fuq l-ebda kwistjoni ohra ipprezentat mill-GRTU f’isem il-membri taghha matul is-snin li Vincent Farrugia la qatt kellu u lanqas ghandu xi conflict of interest ghax mhu f’xejn involut fuq bazi personali li jislet jkollu conflict of interest mall-intraprizi li huwa jirraprezenta hu x’inhu l-Board jew Kumitat li qieghed membru tieghu.

Il-GRTU dwar l-progett ta’ Ta’ Qali hadmet ma gvernijiet u Ministri differenti mall-MDC, mall-MEPA, mall-gvern centrali u mall-Malta Enterprise u fuq kollox mas-Segretarju Parlamentari, Edwin Vassallo u mall-Prim Ministru Dr.Lawrence Gonzi u mall-Prim Ministru ta’ qabblu. Il-GRTU tistenna li l-gvern isib soluzzjoni ragunata li hi fl-interess ta’ kulhadd u li jinqata’ t-theddid ta’ zgumbrament lil min hobzu jaqlagha biss min Ta’ Qali.

Il-GRTU izda tichad li xi hadd, Prim Ministru, Ministri, Segretarji Parlamentari, MEPA, Malta Enterprise jew xi hadd iehor mill-1994 l’hawn irrifjuta li jkellem lill-GRTU u lil Kumitat tas-Sidien tal-membri tal-GRTU. Il-GRTU tichadd ukoll li fil-proposti prezenti li qed jipprezenta l-gvern m’ghandhomx bazi tajba ghal ftehiem ghas-sidien kollha. Jista jintlahaq ftehiem bi ftit aktar kooperazzjoni. Il-GRTU hi fiducjuza li dan il-ftehiem jista jsir. Izda m’ghandux ikun hemm min aktar ghandu interess li ma jsir xejn milli li jsir xi haga sewwa u gusta skond l-esigenzi tal-pajjiz.

Il-GRTU tichad fuq kollox li d-Direttur Generali, Vincent Farrugia ghandha xi conflict of interess ghalhiex huwa jipprezenta l-interessi tas-sidien tan-negozji zghar u medji fuq l-Malta Enterprise Corporation. Allahares jkun acettat l-kuncett li min jkun fuq Board biex jirraprezenta l-interessi ta’ setturi differenti fis-socjeta jkollu konflitt jekk jipprezenta l-veduti tas-setturi li ghalihom jitkellem. Jekk ikun accettat dan kieku d-demokrazija naqilbuha rasha l-isfel.

Il-GRTU tichad wkoll l-kumment li ghamel il-gurnalista Owen Galea tal-Orizzont li Vincent Farrgia ma kienx disponibbli ghall-kummenti wara dak li intqal fil-laqgha li s-sidien tal-huts ta’ Ta’ Qali kellhom mall-Onorevoli Edwin Vassallo. La l-email, la l-mobile u lanqas it-telephones privati u tal-Ufficini ta’ Vincent Farrugia ma jindikaw li Owen Galea ikkuntatja f’xi hin lill-Vincent Farrugia.

Il-Ministru tas-Sahha qal li l-Ligi dwar it-Tipjip f’postijiet pubblici qed ikollha l-effett mixtieq. Sakemm dan ifisser l-effett li aktar nies qed jieqfu milli jpejjpu u aktar nies qed igawdu arja nadifa, dan hu sinjal tajjeb u l-GRTU tifrah mall-Ministru ghal dan s-success.

Il-Ligi Dwar it-Tipjip – l-Gvern jiddandan ghas-Spejjes Hadd’iehor

Il-Ministru tas-Sahha qal li l-Ligi dwar it-Tipjip f’postijiet pubblici qed ikollha l-effett mixtieq. Sakemm dan ifisser l-effett li aktar nies qed jieqfu milli jpejjpu u aktar nies qed igawdu arja nadifa, dan hu sinjal tajjeb u l-GRTU tifrah mall-Ministru ghal dan s-success.

Izda jekk l-Ministru qed jirreferi ghall-hsara li saret lin-negozji z-zghar ta’ pajjizna fil-qasam tad-divertiment u ghat-telf li baghtew minn bwiethom s-sidien u l-impjegati ta’ dawn il-postijiet allura zgur li l-GRTU ma tistax tifrah mieghu. Hadd mill-Prim Ministru l-isfel ma qal li l-Ligi kontra t-Tipjip kienet intenzjonata biex tkisser lin-negozji z-zghar fil-qasam tad-divertiment izda l-ebda Awtorita jew Ministru (hlief ghall-Kunsill Lokali ta’ San Pawl l-Bahar), ma ghamel xejn biex itaffi ghall-hsara li qed ibghatu minna s-sidien tal-bars u postijiet ohra tad-divertiment.

Kien komdu ghal-Ministru tas-Sahha li jghabbi fuq il-privat ir-responsabbilta tieghu u jiehu l-midalja tal-prosit minn Brussels fl-istess waqt li l-gvern qed idahhal l-miljuni tal-liri minn fuq dahar min ipejjep. Id-dicenza u l-korrettezza pulitika kienet u ghadha titilob li l-gvern iwarrab parti minn dawn l-miljuni li qed idahhal biex jassisti b’mod dirett lil dawk kollha li l-valur tan-negozju taghhom gie zvalutat bl-imposizzjoni tal-Ligi dwar it-tipjip fil-bars u f’postijiet tad-divertiment.

X’jiswa li l-gvern jghid li qabel tiddahhal ordni legali ghandu jitfassal pjan li jimmitiga l-hsara fuq s-settur privat meta mbaghad ssir ordni legali bhal tat-tipjip li twegga lil tant sidien ta’ negozji u l-gvern mhux biss ma jikkumpensax u ma jaghmel xejn izda jkompli jghaffeg u jsus wara s-sidien tan-negozji u jfixkel fejn seta jghin biex n-negozji fil-qasam tad-divertiment ikunu iffacilitati jfendi u jkabbru. Hija irrisponsabbilta li l-gvern impona u baqa ma kejjielx l-impatt negattiv fuq in-negozji u ippropona kif ser jirrimedja.

Jaghmel zball kbir il-gvern jekk jahseb li s-sidien tan-negozji tad-divertiment ser jahfruhielu ghall-mod dishonest li mexa maghhom. Is-sidien ghadhom jistennew lil gvern jiccaqlaq u jaccetta r-responsabbilta tieghu.

Il-GRTU qed twiddeb lil gvern li jekk it-Turizmu jithalla jinzel l-isfel aktar bir-rizultat li dan is=sajf ma jghatix id-dhul bizzejjed li hafna stabilimenti qed jistennew il-pajjiz jiffacja problemi serji. Malta barra it-Turizmu, ftit li xejn ghandha min fejn tista tfendi u numru dejjem jikber ta’ intraprizi zghar u medji min oqsma varji mhux biss direttament fit-turizmu izda bars restoranti, snack bars, kafeterji, night clubs, gyms, trasport, car-hire, hwienet, traders, bdiewa, sajjieda u hafna u hafna servizzi, illum jiddependu mit-turizmu u lkoll jistennew u jippretendu sajf b’sahhtu biex ifendu s-sena kollha.

Is-Sitwazzjoni fit-Turizmu ma tistax tithalla tehzien aktar

Il-GRTU qed twiddeb lil gvern li jekk it-Turizmu jithalla jinzel l-isfel aktar bir-rizultat li dan is=sajf ma jghatix id-dhul bizzejjed li hafna stabilimenti qed jistennew il-pajjiz jiffacja problemi serji. Malta barra it-Turizmu, ftit li xejn ghandha min fejn tista tfendi u numru dejjem jikber ta’ intraprizi zghar u medji min oqsma varji mhux biss direttament fit-turizmu izda bars restoranti, snack bars, kafeterji, night clubs, gyms, trasport, car-hire, hwienet, traders, bdiewa, sajjieda u hafna u hafna servizzi, illum jiddependu mit-turizmu u lkoll jistennew u jippretendu sajf b’sahhtu biex ifendu s-sena kollha.

Din is-sena l-MTA u l-Ministeru tat-Turizmu hada falza stikka fil-kampanja pubblicitarja taghhom u fl-istrategiji u r-riformi li wettqu u ghadu mhux tard biex jirrimedjaw u jsalvaw s-sajf li beda.

Bla sforz ikbar minn min hu inkarigat is-sitwazzjoni diga hazina ta’ hafna negozji tkompli tehzien u jkun inutli li l-gvern jkompli jghabbi fuq in-nies tan-negozji. Il-GRTU tistenna azzjoni serja bla aktar telf ta’ zmien ghax kif sejrin mhux sejrin tajjeb zgur. Issa l-waqt li mill-paroli nghaddu ghall-fatti jekk l-awtoritajiet iridu li s-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar jemmnu li l-interessi taghhom ghandhom post importanti fl-istrategija ekonomika tal-gvern.

The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise
Federation of Industry
Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association
GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises
Malta Employers Association

The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise
Federation of Industry
Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association
GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises
Malta Employers Association

Working Time Directive Opt-Out Clause

The FOI – Federation of Industry, the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, the Malta Employers Association, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association and GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, are active in several European fora in which these organisations send their representatives, to defend the interests of enterprises established in Malta. The media has in recent days carried various opinions of politicians and unions concerning the Organisation of Working Time, a draft directive that has been under discussion in the European Parliament as well as in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Our five major organizations that represent the majority of enterprises in Malta have their own opinions on this highly important topic. in favour of the opt-out clause that gives workers the right of individual voluntary choice on whether to work more than the maximum 48 hours per week as imposed by the Working Time Directive.

The representatives of Maltese employers in Group 1 (Employers Representatives) at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Ms Sylvia Sciberras and Mr Edwin Calleja representing all the employer organizations mentioned above, have supported and canvassed in favour of the adoption of a draft opinion by EESC during the Plenary Session of May 2005 on the Proposal for a Directive. The European Employers organizations did not support a draft opinion that had received the approval of the Unions supported by some representatives of Civil Society. in the EESC: General assembly. Employers representatives supported by a number of members from the Civil Society Group tabled a Draft Counter opinion that was also voted upon and supported by a strong minority of the members. Because of the strong support received this draft counter opinion will therefore go to the Council and the European Parliament to show the differing view point of employers.

“Employers supported the Commission’s proposal, and not the Trade Unions version, for amending Directive 2000/88 EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time
This proposal is based on Article 137 (2) in the Treaty establishing the European Community according to which the directives adopted should “improve the working environment to protect the worker’s health and safety” while it “must avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in such a way as to hold back the creation and development of small and medium sized undertakings”.

Employers insist in their counter-opinion on:

· giving a high level of protection of workers’ health and safety, whilst allowing companies flexibility in managing working time.

· Allowing greater compatibility between work and family life;
· Avoiding any imposition of unreasonable constraints on companies, in particular SME’s

The Commission rightly emphasized the important role on this issue of Member States and social partners at national, branch or enterprise level.

More specifically, Employers emphasized that a 12-month reference period is already used in many Member States. It therefore believes the current provisions of the directive should promote the annualisation of the reference period.

Concerning on-call time the Employers’ counter opinion points out that several Member States have national legislation and practices which contain rules on time spent “on call” in various sectors and especially in the health sector. These rules vary in different ways, but it is common in all cases that either on-call time does not count as working time at all or only partly.

Employers supported the European Commission’s proposal that the inactive part of on-call time should not be regarded as working time. This is crucial for the functioning of all enterprises, especially SME’s and for the further development of the social economy.

Furthermore, European employers acknowledged that on-call time should not be considered as resting time as this would lead to excessively long working hours, which could hamper the reconciliation of work and family life and endanger the health and safety of workers.

However, they said that they would consider if necessary, that the inactive part of on-call time could be established as an average number of hours, in order to take into account the different needs in the various sectors and enterprises.

European employers believe that the possibility of the ‘opt-out’ should be maintained and the collective opt-out should be put on equal footing with the individual opt-out. This is important in order to take into account the different practices on industrial relations across the enlarged EU as well as the needs of enterprises and the needs and wishes of workers that might wish to work longer in different periods of their lives.

Nevertheless, it has to be assured that this possibility stays voluntary, is not used in an abusive way and that the worker can withdraw his consent to work longer when his live circumstances change. Employers therefore supported the additional conditions linked to the opt-out as suggested by the Commissions’ proposal”.

Employer organizations believe that it is inconceivable for small, medium and large businesses in Malta to remain competitive if work places are restricted to a 48 hour week as a statutory imposition.

Our organizations believe that the Group 1 (Employers) counter-opinion was most appropriate for the requirements of a small economy like Malta and the European Commission, the Parliament and the Council of Ministers should give due weight to the opinions of leaders of enterprises in Europe if they seriously believe in the Lisbon Agenda and really want the European and the maltese economy to prosper in the coming years.
For Release
May 27 , 2005

Il-GRTU tappella lil Gvern biex jikkontrolla lil certi Sindki. Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tan-Negozjanti Zghar u Medji temmen li certi Sindki u Kunsilli Lokali jidher li wahhluha f’rashom li jghamlu li jistghu biex ikomplu jsallbu u jifnu lis-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar li jahdmu fil-lokalita taghhom. Ezempju gwap hu dak tal-Mosta.

Il-GRTU tappella lil Gvern biex jikkontrolla lil certi Sindki. Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tan-Negozjanti Zghar u Medji temmen li certi Sindki u Kunsilli Lokali jidher li wahhluha f’rashom li jghamlu li jistghu biex ikomplu jsallbu u jifnu lis-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar li jahdmu fil-lokalita taghhom. Ezempju gwap hu dak tal-Mosta.

Wara li ghal snin shah in-negozji tac-centru tal-Mosta ilhom isoffru mill-konsegwenza tad-tidwir tat-taffiku li wara tant snin baqa’ ma ttrangax skond kif kienu mweghda s-sidien tan-negozju, issa ghall-darb’ohra s-Sindku tal-Mosta qed jimponi bidliet bla ebda konsultazzjoni u ebda ftehim mas-sidien tan-negozji.

Il-progett il-gdid li qed jigi impost fic-centru tal-Mosta ser ikompli jnaqqas l-ispazju tal-parking disponibbli u ser jaghmilha aktar difficli biex il-hwienet tal-Pjazza u tac-centru kummercjali jkunu jistghu jinqdew u jaqdu ahjar lil klijenti taghhom. Is-Sindku ma ta’ kaz xejn tat-talbiet biex jikkonsulta mas-sidien tal-hwienet allavolja jaf li dan hu obligu taht l-Ligi tal-Kunsilli Lokali. Issa wara li ma ikkonsultax dwar l-progett, rega lanqas ma kkonsulta dwar it-twettiq tieghu, bir-rizultat li qabad u ghalaq ic-centru tal-Mosta bla ma ta’ kaz xejn tal-hsara li qed igieghel lis-sidien tal-hwienet isoffru. Dan l-eghluq ghat-traffiku qed isir meta ghadu ghaddej ix-xoghol fuq t-toroq ewlenin ta’ barra l-Mosta

Il-GRTU issostni li l-Gvern ma jistax jibqa’ jhalli lil certi Sindki u Kunsilli li jibqghu jgiebu ruhhom b’dan l-mod goff u nsensittiv ghall-ahhar. Jidher izda li l-Gvern qata’ qiesu li jzomm kontrol fuq ceri Sindki u l-prezz qed ikollhom ihallsuh s-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar.

Il-GRTU qed tappella lill-Gvern biex isib tarf ta’ din l-problema. Sindki bhal tal-Mosta, bl-imposizzjoni ta’ progett bla konsultazzjoni u mposizzjoni ta’ CCTV fic-centru li sallab biha lil hwienet kollha; bhas-Sindku ta’ tas-Sliema u ta’ Santa Venera li qabdu u mponew penali ta’ Lm20 kuljum fuq l-kuntratturi u ohrajn bhas-Sindku tal-Msida li impona, wkoll bla sahha ta’ Ligi, penali ta’ lira kull metru ghall-eghluq ta’ siti taht kostruzzjoni u Sindki ohra li jdawwru t-traffiku, imponew parking schemes u wahhlu CCTV’s u qed jesageraw bic-citazzjonijiet u l-multi li qed ifajjru fuq numru bla qies ta’ sidien tan-negozji. Ma jistghux jibqghu ghaddejjin qiesu xejn mhu xejn.

Is-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar ta’ pajjizna jridu bidla f’din l-mentalita kiefra lejhom li issa saret marda. Il-Gvern bilfors issostni l-GRTU irid jiehu mizuri hu ghax wahedhom is-Sindki jibqghu ma jaghtux kaz.

The Director General of GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – attended the Plenary Session of the European Social Fund and the Employers Technical Forum of ESF held in Brussels on the 17th and 18th of May 2005. Vince Farrugia is a member of the Tripartite European Social Fund Committee in representation of Maltese employers.

The Director General of GRTU – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises – attended the Plenary Session of the European Social Fund and the Employers Technical Forum of ESF held in Brussels on the 17th and 18th of May 2005. Vince Farrugia is a member of the Tripartite European Social Fund Committee in representation of Maltese employers.

The ESF is established under the Treaty of Rome. It is the main financial tool through which the European Union translates its strategic employment aims into action. It is the largest established Structural Fund and provides EU funding on a major scale geared towards the fulfillment of the EU’s Employment Strategy.

The May 2005 Plenary Session and the Technical Fora – one for Employers Representation, one for Worker Representation, and one for Government Representation discussed the new Employment Guidelines that now govern the EU’s Employment Strategy are redefined after the recent redrawing of the Lisbon Strategy.

The documents under discussion at the ESF Plenary Session included:
· The Communication from the Commission on Restructuring and Employment. The Commission firmly believes that restructuring must not be synonymous with social decline and a loss of economic substance. On the contrary, restructuring can underpin economic and social progress – but only if such measures are correctly anticipated and provided firms can manage the necessarily change quickly and effectively and provided public action helps ensure that the change is carried out in sound conditions.

· The Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs 2005- 2008 which includes the Commission Recommendations on the broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and the Community as well as the proposed Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of member States which is the subject of discussion at the informed EU Council Meeting which is is being held tomorrow Friday 20th may 2005.

With economic prospects for small businesses looking rather bleak, Vince Farrugia, director general of the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) does not mince his words when he says that “this is an educated government that does a lot of hearing but very little listening

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tal-Intraprizi Zghar u Medji – tinnota b’dispjacir d-decizjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew li approva t-tnehhija tad-dritt tal-haddiema li bil-kunsens taghhom stess jahdmu aktar minn 48 siegha matul gimgha wahda.

Working Time Directive – Opt Out Clause

Il-GRTU – Kamra Maltija tal-Intraprizi Zghar u Medji – tinnota b’dispjacir d-decizjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew li approva t-tnehhija tad-dritt tal-haddiema li bil-kunsens taghhom stess jahdmu aktar minn 48 siegha matul gimgha wahda.

Din hi decizjoni kiefra ghall-Malta fejn s-suq tax-xoghol hu limitat u fejn mhux facli li l-intraprizi jhaddmu nies extra biex ilahhqu max-xoghol taghhom u fl-istess waqt jibqghu kompetittivi. Hi iebsa b’mod partikulari ghas-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar li hafna drabi jkunu f’sitwazzjoni fejn ix-xoghol biex isir skond it-termini tal-kuntratti li jkollhom bilfors li jkollhom perjodi li fihom iridu li n-nies taghhom jahdmu aktar min 48 siegha.

Meta l-haddiem jiccahhad milli jibqa’ jahdem aktar mhux biss jigri li hu u l-familja tieghu jkunu imcahhdu mill-qliegh xieraq taghhom izda effettivament jkunu mgeghla jisfurzaw lil min ihaddimhom jahdem hu s-sieghat kollha mehtega biex x-xoghol jitlesta. Bla opt-out clause l-Working Time Directive tfisser pis u tbghatija enormi ghas-self employed u ghas-sid tal-intraprizi z-zghar.

Il-GRTU hi parti minn lobby group ta’ organizazzjonijiet ohra li jirraprezentaw lis-sidien tal-intraprizi z-zghar fil-pajjizi imsiehba fl-Unjoni Ewropea u li kollha jsostnu li l-Working Time Directive bla opt-out clause hi hazina ghall-kummerc u kiefra ghan-negozji z-zghar.

Il-GRTU ghalhekk ma tifhimx kif l-membru parlamentari ewropew John Attard Montalto iddecieda li ma juriex hu wkoll is-solidarjeta shiha u konsistenti tieghu mall-haddiema, self employed u sidien ta’ negozji zghar Maltin.