Category: Archive – 2010

"What the Members of Parliament have accepted to do to reserve privileged parking in the heart of Valletta in complete disregard of everybody else is Shameful" stated Vince Farrugia, GRTU's Director General.

 

Not only have Parliamentarians reserved for themselves the whole zone in the vicinity of the Palace but they have even reserved for themselves 50% of the pavements given to pedestrians to be able to walk safely. "Motor vehicles should not be parked on pavements. All the citizens of Malta are made to respect this just law but no the parliamentarians of Malta" . The streets of Valletta are now with rainbow colours, we have some yellow, some blue and green and a little white, and  when the white cannot be fitted, double yellow lines are drawn.

"Is there no one in their right senses to realise what they are doing to the city! Is it possible that nobody realises that the city of Valletta is being strangled to death in a pitiful slow process. It is becoming an ugly experience for all those who want to come to the city with all the wardens, police and others eager to scare you off or else dump a ticket on your windscreen."

GRTU believes in the investments that are happening in the city. Indeed most of the projects are more than welcome and GRTU is doing its utmost to ensure they are implemented without much delay and procrastination. The GRTU does not believe that those who are managing are in their right mind, they would not have otherwise made the entrepreneurs who have invested so many millions in Valletta and who employ hundreds and thousands of workers suffer so badly as they see business being driven to other commercial centres outside Valletta at a great loss to their businesses, simply because it is becoming almost impossible to park in Valletta at any time of the day.

The Valletta business community represented by GRTU seeks immediate solution to the horrendous parking problem, in the absence of an early and practical solution, businesses are adopting the only solution they know: closure and dismissals. Those who have eyes to see should walk the streets of Valletta and see for themselves. The pain is visible everywhere.

GRTU proudly stated back in November 2009 that Budget 2010 represented a great achievement for GRTU and a turn point in the history of Budgets, as for the fist time a Budget included measures that would relieve micro and small enterprises from the excessive burdens that stifle them and hold them back from expanding. Measures that were particularly vital during a time of economic recession.

 

If Malta today is fairing better then other members of the European Union during the turbulent time of recession, this is due to Government's effective measures, but also, and more importantly, because of the efforts and the sacrifices of thousands of business owners. The smaller employers could have done what the larger employers did, simply discharge people or place workers of 3-4 day weeks.

Led by GRTU micro business owners took the pain upon themselves and held fast. Indeed employment in micro enterprises, rather than diminishing, increased. Small business owners accepted GRTU's lead to hold steady and not panic in mid stream. GRTU leaders were confident that Government and the whole state bureaucracy would appreciate the economic burden the self employed and owners of micro-enterprises were carrying to guarantee that Malta will not be buried under the avalanche of bad economic situations in Europe and elsewhere.

"Budget 2010 promised a lot but is delivering very little. GRTU does not accept excuses. For every hurdle there is a solution." Vince Farrugia, DG, GRTU

We do not accept the unscrupulous delays in the implementation of the micro-credit scheme. We do not accept the cruel delays in the implementation of the Reserve fund for Assisting Enterprise with temporary difficulties arising especially from higher electricity bills. These schemes were aimed to help the liquidity problems of firms during the period of economic recession. This was the medicine that small business owners needed as they ailed under the burden of economic recession.

GRTU also fails to understand why the promised cheques to families burdened by the new electricity billing never arrived. This was a measure aimed to support consumer spending. There are other measures in the budget that still await implementation

"Is it a coincidence that most of the measures that still need to be implemented are those that were geared towards the support of the self employed and micro enterprises? Is it possible that in spite of all the promises and nice words, that SMEs are the backbone of the Maltese economy, that many in power still do not believe what they say? For us promises are made to be kept. The medicine is needed when the patient is in pain. Thousands of small business owners are in pain now. I urge the PM to ensure that those responsible for implementation be made to act with more urgency." concluded Vince Farrugia, Director General, GRTU.

Marcella Agius

Green MT, GRTU's fully owned subsidiary company commissioned by enterprises to help them comply with their environmental obligations and waste disposal, has now also taken over responsibilities that used to be of WasteServ Malta Ltd, with the collection of recyclable waste materials (Plastic, Paper, Metal and Glass) from all the schools in Gozo, both private, church and state owned.

 

Green MT will be employing a firm supervisory system to ensure the obligations and responsibilities they are contracted to observe, actually meet the satisfaction of the Gozitan community. To also ensure that the system is understood fully and that communication between all authorities concerned is maintained Green MT top executives will make their necessary presence and talk to the heads of schools and contracted separated waste collectors.

Yesterday, Marcella Agius of Green MT, accompanied by Green MT subcontractor Kleen-Co Ltd launched the project through the collection of recyclable waste from each and every school in Gozo. The materials collected were delivered to WasteServ's Qortin facility, which will then be transported to Malta to be eventually baled and finally recycled.

The Green MT education team is also at the same time visiting households to ensure the public is conscious of the importance of continued waste separation at source. This week Green MT's eco-councillors are visiting households and promoting waste separation in the locality of Rabat (Malta). Green MT aims to achieve a recovery of 14,000 tons of recyclable waste by end of this year through its work with the local councils and general public, the business community and schools.

 GRTU Vice-President International Relations Mr Alfred Barthet and Abigail Mamo have this week met the candidate for the appointment as Honorary Consul for Malta in Bangladesh.

 

Mr Chowdhury, aged 40,  is 80% owner of a company which focuses on the technology sector. He is credited with being, over the past 10 years, a vital element in the growth of the IT sector in Bangladesh.

Mr Chowdhury explained that it is now his second time in Malta and that he has met already very high ranking Maltese officials. He explained how Malta can be of interest to Bangladeshi Companies especially as a base into Europe. He said he acknowledged the skill of trade of the Maltese, of importing and re-exporting.

Through figures it transpired that Malta's trade with Bangladesh is very limited and can be very improved. Bangladesh is one of the fast growing economies. It is the major producer of Jude in the world which contributes highly to the country's GDP. The demand for Jude had diminished with the advent of new materials however the country has remained strong in the textile industry. Malta's trade with Bangladesh is mainly of import of textile products. It was also however interesting to note that there are 5 companies listed with the MFSA with Bangladeshi shareholding and 2 vessels registered with the Malta Maritime Authority.

Members having an interest in doing business with Bangladesh are to contact Abigail Mamo @ GRTU.

Abigail

GRTU felt compelled to act and intervene in the case instituted by Chemimart against the Superintendent of Public Health. Whilst GRTU understands, Mr. Fava's position, it cannot understand however, his insistence in trampling on the rights at law of his fellow pharmacy owners in Valletta, as well as his companions in other organisations, by asking for a relocation, even temporary of his pharmacy to Republic street. Chemimart knew that such a relocation is illegal and ultra vires.

 

GRTU reacted in support of the other four pharmacies because what Chemimart was asking the courts to is to break the law and the recently agreed to Pharmacy Licence Regulations. In this case, Chemimart opted to shoot first without trying to resolve the issue amicably. It can be revealed that GRTU had been trying to find a solution acceptable to all before Chemimart jumped the gun and went to court. But no solutions can be found where the law will be bent or broken, or when GRTU's very principles would have suffered. The law is clear. It states that a Pharmacy may relocate its premises up to 50 metres away from its present location. If that 50 metre rule is exceeded, then the pharmacy cannot relocate to premises less than 300 metres form the site of an existing pharmacy or premises on which there is an application for a pharmacy. The law does not speak of temporary relocations. Besides this, Chemimart knew all along that their lease in Freedom Square had expired some time ago, and it was only due to Government's good graces that it was given, along with the other shop owners in Freedom Square, alternative premises and / or compensation.

The case did go to court. GRTU was also there, and now that the case has been concluded, GRTU has appealed, along with others, from this very dangerous ruling. In effect, the court, disregarding its own case law, firstly decreed that the other four pharmacies that would have been adversely affected by Chemimart's request do not have an interest in the case. Surprisingly enough, we were astounded to learn that the Attorney General's office actually opposed GRTU's lawyers request to be party in this case. Secondly, we were even more astounded to hear the testimony of the Superintendent of Public health, who decreed that there was some fear that the GRTU would order some stoppage of the POYC. GRTU makes it clear that it never threatened anyone in this way, and as such this statement was gratuitous and speculative.  At this very moment in time, GRTU is actively involved in working towards further rollout of the POYC scheme with Government. This is in libe with GRTU's oft stated social responsibility as a constituted body in partnership with Government and the Chamber of Pharmacists.

The court actually granted  Chemimart's request for a temporary relocation on the basis of Article 72c of the Medicines Act 2003, which is a punitive article dealing with the  Suspension or revocation of pharmacy licences. This article has had the chewing gum treatment and has been twisted and turned round by the courts in order to justify the granting of the temporary relocation.

GRTU cannot but conclude that the Superintendent of Public Health, aided by the AG's office, who is also invested with the responsibilities of Licensing Authority by virtue of the Medicines Act, failed to uphold the application of the Laws and regulations on the licensing of pharmacies thrice. He should have not entertained the idea of a relocation and just issued a peremptory refusal. Secondly, he should have put up a vigorous defence of the law, and not surprisingly oppose the entry of parties who have rights according to the same law he was supposed to uphold. Thirdly and here is his greatest failing, he should have appealed as GRTU, the four Pharmacy owners and the Kamra tal-Ispizjara did, from the court's ruling.

This is his duty as repository and guardian of the law, and  he has failed miserably in that duty. The repercussions of this dereliction of duty are profound, because without realising it, the Superintendent of Public health has opened a Pandora's box by emasculating not just his Authority, but the Authority of every Licencing body in the land. Henceforth, the Courts have been given leave to break the very same laws they are bound to safeguard by giving them interpretations they were never meant to have.

 It is truly, a sad day for Malta when one individual, in tis case Chemimart, for purely commercial and speculative reasons, suborns the whole process of the law like this. It is even sadder when the Courts sanction it.

It is even sadder to note that the Chamber Of Commerce supported this filibustering of the law, to the detriment of two of its members who have been affected by this ruling, one of who sits on the same Chamber council as Mr. Fava. Is there no shame anymore?

But the really sad thing is that Chemimart did not have the, for want of a better word, the  "irgulija", to ask their peers and colleagues,pharmacy owners all for their help and understanding. Mr. Fava of Chemimart  has long tried to represent the interests of pharmacy owners by rivalling the excellent work done by GRTU and the Chamber of Pharmacsts. Now we have the proof of this particular pudding. Mr. Fava has tried to deal a blow to all that pharmacy owners have fought for and aspired to in defence of their livelihood.

This ruling does not affect just the Valletta Pharmacies, but all the Pharmacies in Malta and Gozo. GRTU has sworn to defend their rights, and that's why on Monday the 19^th it will be again in court defending their rights.

In a nutshell…unbelievable. But true. What a sorry state this country has sunk to.

Abigail

16-17 June, La Rochelle, France

Created in 1995 by La Rochelle's Agri-food CRITT (innovation and technology transfer centre), the biennial Health & Food Days have since met with international success. The event has become a benchmark for those in the food industry, and is the most important European business convention in its field. More than 800 participants attended the last edition.

This event should be of interest to operators in the following sectors:

Food supplement industry

Diet food industry

Natural and organic cosmetics industry

Pharmaceutical industry

Animal feed industry

If you are seeking new contacts for technology transfer, strategic alliances and distribution networks, participation in the Health and Food days Brokerage event could be an opportunity for your company to network with potential business partners. Up to twenty confidential meetings can be organised for each participant via a complete catalogue listing all attendees.

For further details please contact the internationalisation Unit on 25423418/ 25423294 or .

Abigail

Government is preparing to transpose this Directive into Maltese law. Consumer Credit is regulated under Maltese law by means of Legal Notice 84 of 2005 as further amended. This Legal Notice implements Council Directive 87/102/EEC on consumer credit. This Directive was subsequently replaced by Directive 2008/48EC on credit agreements for consumers.

 

The Directive applies to the most commonly concluded agreements. However there are several types of credit agreements which are exempt from the scope of application, such as:

mortgages; agreements for the acquisition of real property; agreements for an amount of less than €200; agreements for an amount exceeding €75,000; most of the leasing agreements; agreements in the form of an overdraft facility and credit that has to be repaid within one month; credit granted by employers to their employees; and interest free credit

In the interest of strengthening consumer awareness, the Directive diffentiates between pre-contractual and contractual information:

Pre-contractual information must be provided in the form of a Standard European Consumer Credit Information Form which establishes the minimum new information which must be made available to the consumer. A number of new concepts have been introduced in this respect:

the right of the consumer to be provided with a copy of the draft credit agreement free of charge;

the provision of information through voice telephony communication and other distance communication which reflect the current market needs; and

the provision of information on specific credit agreement such as overdrafts.

This information is meant to eliminate the current practice of provision of general information in "fine print".

The provision of contractual information will also be specified with more clarity by the establishment of a standard of minimum information, including the obligation to regularly inform the client of any changes to interest rates. Other specific information obligations are also being established for the creditors in connection with the possibility of an overdraft.

Other changes introduced by Directive 2008/48EC include:

The principle of reasonable lending practices. Under this principle, the creditor will be obliged to assess the credit worthiness of the consumer, where possible through the use of a special database. This should in principle limit the over extension of consumer debit.

The right of the consumer to withdraw from the credit agreement within 14 days of its conclusion.

The regulation of the early repayment of credit including the resolution of compensation of the creditor for costs directly related to early repayment.

The regulation of linked credit agreements where a consumer who withdraws from a credit agreement shall no longer be bound by a linked agreement.

The assignment of creditors' rights so that the consumers may not find themselves in less advantageous conditions.

The introduction of a definite mathematical formula for the calculation of the Annual Percentage Rate of Charge (APR). The formula and its elements are defined in detail so that the APR may serve the consumers as a tool for comparison.

The right to information provided in connection with consumer advertising. Consumers have been granted the right to obtain standard information alleged in advertising or other relevant information with regard to the costs of the credit facility in a clear, concise and transparent way. The aim is to achieve full consumer awareness about all the fees included in the total cost of the credit facility, and to combat against "hidden costs".

The setting up by each Member State of a supervisory authority, exercising supervision on creditors and also implementing obligations on intermediaries in the granting of credit facilities.

Info provided by MEUSAC

When EU consumers buy clothes for their children they should not have to worry about safety risks.  A recent EU market surveillance exercise, checked in particular, the safety of children's clothes with cords and drawstrings, with which there can be a risk of strangulation, especially for children up to 7 years.

Market surveillance authorities in 11 Member States inspected more than 16.000 such garments between 2008 and 2010, and the results published by the European Commission show that 1 in 10 items were in breach of safety requirements under the relevant European standard. Almost 70 % of the non-compliant garments were clothes for babies and young children. Corrective actions were taken by the national authorities. The main aim of the project was to reduce the amount of unsafe children's clothing on the EU market, whether produced in Europe or imported.

European market surveillance authorities receive notifications of accidents where cords or drawstrings on children's clothes become entangled in bicycles, doors, car doors, or playground equipment, leading to severe injury or death. National accident statistics show that such accidents fall into two groups by age: i) younger children where entrapment of hood cords in playground equipment such as slides, result in fatalities; ii) older children where cords and strings from the waist and lower hems of garments are entrapped in moving vehicles such as bus doors, ski lifts and bicycles resulting in severe injuries or death from being dragged or run over by the vehicle.

The recommendations

Manufacturers, distributors, importers and retailers must ensure that cords and drawstrings in children clothes comply with the European standard EN 14682:2007 or provide an equivalent level of safety. Parents and caregivers can also follow basic recommendations, including:

Clothes for children up to 7 years (height 1.34 m) should not have cords or drawstrings in the hood and neck area.

Clothes for 7 and14 year olds should not have cords longer than 75 mm (7,5 cm) in the hood and neck area or drawstrings with free ends. Cords in the hood and neck area should not be elastic except for shoulder straps and halter necks.

Clothes for children should not have cords or drawstrings with free ends longer than 140 mm (14 cm) in the chest and waist area.

Halter neck-style children's clothes should not have loose ends in the hood and neck area.

Children's clothes intended to be tied at the front should not have tied belts or sashes longer than 360mm (36 cm).when measured untied from the point where they are to be tied 6.

If you already have children's clothes that do not meet the above requirements you can make them safer by removing the cord or drawstring, cutting them off or shortening them.

If you have bought a garment that does not comply with these basic rules, you can report it to the market surveillance authorities in your country

Abigail Mamo –

Tunisia Olive Oil Expo (Olive Oil)

As part of a promotional campaign of Tunisian packaged Olive Oil conducted by the Tunisian Ministry of Industry and Technology. GRTU is informing interested members that the first edition of the International Exhibition of Olive Oil will be held between 8th and 10th June 2010 in Hammamet, Tunisia.

 

It will have 5 thematic areas:

Olive and Olive oil; Packaging; Machinery and accessories; Health and Beauty; Hand-craft

Texmed (Textiles)

The Tunisian Export Promotion Centre (CEPEX), the National Textile Technical Centre (CETTEX), will be organising the  Euro-Mediterranean Exhibition, Texmed Tunisia 2010 between 16th and 18th June 2010, in the fairgrounds of Kram, Tunisia.

TEXMED asserts itself today as a major Euromed business and partnership meeting platform among professionals of the textile, clothing and accessories and aspires to pursue the qualitative and quantitative achievements that it targeted with more than 250 exhibitors and nearly 3000 professional visitors.

TEXMED is becoming the professional reference event for the Euromed area and a response to the proximity sourcing with the European countries. Indeed near shoring proposes an alternative for the offshore production. A relocated tool of production, but of proximity, for a better competitiveness and productivity gains.

Sfax (Agricultural Products)

The Sfax international Association will be organising the 44th Sfax International Fair between 15th and 29th June 2010 in Sfax, Tunissia.

The last edition of this Exhibition was successful at the level of meetings between 300 exhibitors that exceeded 350 thousand people.

Sfax International Fair could be an excellent opportunity for Maltese businessmen to establish contacts with their Tunisian and International counterparts.

Should you be interested in any of these events GRTU will gladly provide you with a price list for participant and an application form.

Abigail Mamo-