Category: Archive – 2011

Il-Kumpanija Liquigas Malta Limited infurmat lill-GRTU – Il- Kamra Maltija ghan-Negozji Zghar u Medji, bhala rapprezentant tad-Distributuri tal-gass, li hi ma taqbilx mal-mod li bhalissa qed isir l-iskambju tac-cilindri tal-gass .

Il-Kumpanija izda infurmat lill-GRTU li sakemm l-Awtoritajiet Regolatorji jiddeciedu fuq dan l-aspett tas-suq, il-Kumpanija Liquigas Malta Limited qed tawtorizza lid-Distributuri tal-gass, li waqt in-norma tax-xoghol taghhom jistghu  jiehdu m'ghand il-Pubbliku cilindri tal-gass ta' kulur iswed (Easygas) u  jaghtu  lura cilindri mimlija tal-Kumpanija Liquigas (sofor jew hodor).

Liquigas infurmaw lid-Distributuri li kull cilindru vojt iswed li jigi irritornat gewwa il-Qajjenza jinghata cilindru iehor ahdar jew isfar. Il-GRTU avzat lid-Distributuri li  dan jistgha jsehh immedjatament  wara li irciviet dan il-komunikat minghand Liquigas Malta Limited.

Sadanittant il-GRTU tishaq mal-Gvern biex mill-aktar fis possibli jara li jinhargu l-Emendi ghall-Avviz Legali 249 ta' 2008 li jikkoncernaw id-distribuzzjoni tal-gass. Il-GRTU temmen li ma jistghax ikun li tasal xitwa ohra u nergghu nigu affacjati bl-istess problemi tal-passat u ghalhekk theggeg lill-Gvern biex jiehu l-passi xierqa f'dan is-settur ghaliex dan hu konformi mal-Kuntratt originali li fuqu huma ibbazati l-Licenzji tad-Distributuri u hu wkoll konformi mad-decizjoni tal-Ufficju tal-Kummerc Gust li jawtorizza lid-Distributuri jaghmlu xoghol ta' tqassim u gbir fuq ic-cilindri taz-zewg fornituri licenzjati mil-MRA.

GRTU was represented by Council member Marcel Mizzi at a workshop meeting in Rome on Implementing the Multisectoral Guidelines on Third Party Violence. Approximaltely one in ten workers in the European Union are experiencing some sort of third party violence or harrassment at their place of work. The violence comes from either work collegues or from third parties such as customers and clients.

This workshop was the second in a series of similar workshops organised through EU funding by European Employers and Commerce Trade Union organisations as well as private security, local and regional government, education and health sectors all of which are being effected by this phenomenon.  These sectors have together already produced a set of guidelines and procedures with the aim of mitigating this increasing trend. These incidents at work have a direct impact on the productivity of employees and often result in absenteesm as well as poor performance.  

The current guidelines include :

• A clear definition of third party violence
• Recognising of safe work places and how they can be improved
• Awareness raising
• Monitoring and follow up procedures
• Provision of "after incident" support
• Processes for evaluation

Various member states have already taken the lead in implementing these guildlines, not least of which is Italy through the work of Confcommercio who have introduced printed quidelines which are distrubuted to business owners and employees. These guidelines instruct workers how to handle these situations. The document defines specific behaviours that should be recognised and mitigated against. It also outlines what the employee should do and how he should react to be effective in helping the police in securing an arrest later on.  Confcommercio have also organised courses for Shopping Mall Security staff and other security enforcement personell. The organisation is also using a software application called "Keycrime" which aims to predict where crime is going to occur next. Their representative stated that they had seen some success using this application. Confcommercio's presentation was followed by a presentation by representatives from Norway who also explained the progress they have made in their country which mostly consists of awareness raising so far.

Following the various presentations, the representatives present were divided into work groups and withdrew into various different rooms to discuss possible implementation strategies and ideas. From each workgroup a representative was then selected to make a presentation.

Mr. Mizzi on behalf of GRTU reported on the progress that was bieng made in Malta with respect to these guildines. He explained the initiative that GRTU was leading together with the ETC to inlcude subjects such as handling third party violience in commerce as part of the ETC sales courses and qualifications. He stressed that he would like to see a homogenous system in sales qualifications that would be the same across member states.  He said that it is strange that many qualifications are recognised while there is no set formula for a sales qualification, both in terms of content and recognition. Crime and third party violence in commerce are unfortunately common across member states and having a homogenous sales qualification across states would certainly be a first step in implementing the quidlines being discussed here.  Mizzi also mentioned initiaves such as the closed circuit camera systems that were installed in Valletta main streets a few years ago. These were a "best practice" story as they were paid by the shop owners and are connected to the police head quarters.  This initiave is only costing the tax payers money in terms of human resources at the police HQ but has been effective in reducing shop lifting and "snatch and grab" incidents in Valletta. This is a perfect example of what could be done to help mitigate against third party violence.  Mizzi stressed that education is the key to tackling these issues. While organisations such as GRTU can certainly be instrumental in educating SMEs, the task of educating the general public is beyond the remit or capabilities of the GRTU.  He said that since Malta joined the EU customers are being constantly told that they have rights as consumers which is of course correct and important, however, it is also a major cause of arguments with shop assistants and owners as they sometimes imagine that they have more rights that they actually have and tend to get into heated arguments trying to prove their point. Again sales people can be educated about consumer rights and even here GRTU has made sure that the ETC Sales qualifiaction includes this information.

Mr Mizzi recognised that as part of the implementation of these guideliness, raising awareness amongst the  organisations whose sectors are effected should be first priority. To his knowledge there is no single unbrella organisation that could perform this task. At this particular workshop, for example, only  GRTU and the MUT (Malta Union of Teachers) were represented. These are two organisations that would otherwise not be linked at all back in Malta. He said that perhaps a solution would be to disseminate the information through the local EU represenatative office but this could also prove difficult. The ideal method, would be to organise meetings in Malta and invite all the potentially interested organisations. Admittedly, Mizzi said, this could not be done in all members states as the current funding for this project would not be enough to cover the costs involved.

It is clear that the effects of Third Party Violence at the place of work is causing loss of competitive advantage and value added to business and non-business organisations. The implementation of these guild lines as part of the fight against this type of violence is therefore important and GRTU aims to continue to endeavour in this regard.

GRTU has this week written to the Hon Dolores Cristina Minister for Education, Employment and the Family enquiring about Government's implementation of the:

• Framework Agreement on Inclusive Labour Markets signed by EU Social Partners
• The Bruges Communiqué on enhanced European Cooperation in Vocational Education and Training

This following the request by GRTU's EU level Social Partner representative, UEAPME, The European Association of Craft Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. GRTU has on its own account carried out the implementation of a number of policies falling within the scope of these two items. The EU however is requesting an annual report which provides a comprehensive explanation of not only GRTU's and the other social partners` actions but also of Government.

The Framework Agreement signed by the Social Partners abides Government in Member States and the Social Partners to implement on a 3 year period policies in line with the agreement. Implementation of this framework agreement will contribute to the Commission's objective of achieving inclusive growth as part of a renewed Europe 2020 strategy. The main aim of the Framework Agreement is to:

• Consider the issues of access, return, retention and development with a view to achieving the full integration of individuals in the labour market;
• Increase the awareness, understanding and knowledge of employers, workers and their representatives of the benefits of inclusive labour markets;
• Provide workers, employers and their representatives at all levels with an action-oriented framework to identify obstacles to inclusive labour markets and solutions to overcome them.

While on the Framework Agreement GRTU is awaiting for a meeting from the Ministry in order to exchange knowledge and form a national report, on the Bruges Communiqué GRTU is simply awaiting for information from Government.

The Copenhagen Declaration of 29-30 November 2002 launched the European strategy for enhanced cooperation in Vocational Education and Training (VET), commonly referred to as the "Copenhagen process".  Today in 2010 on the basis of our 8 years of European cooperation, we have defined the long-term strategic objectives for the next decade (2011-2020).

In view of the new grant launched by the MRRA, GRTU and MRA, where €3,000 shall be granted to around 2,000 families to install a PV system, Euromed Eco Power Co Ltd together with Banif Bank are launching a scheme that facilitates the purchase of photovoltaic panels.

With this scheme clients can purchase a Sharp 1.84 kW system that usually costs €6,500 for just €1,437, paid over a period of 3 years at the rate of €39.89 per month, after deducting the income from the feed in tarriff paid for the electricity generated. This means that families wishing to install a high quality photovoltaic system nowadays do not need to fork out the capital anymore, and the total amount of money they need to take out of their pocket is reduced to €1,437, spread on 3 years with an easy payment term of €39.89. In this way anyone who owns a roof is able to install a PV system and generate clean electricity.

This scheme is clearly intended to facilitate the purchase of PV systems and encourage people to invest more in green energy, also helping the country reach its renewable energy targets.

More information may be acquired from any Banif Bank branch or call 21 804474, 79010757 or on the web; www.euromed-ep.com

The Tunisian Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA) will be organizing, under the auspices of the Ministry of Planning and International Co-operation, the first International economic event of the post-revolution era in Tunisia, "Tunisia Investment Forum 2011".

This manifestation, which will take place on the 16^th and 17^th of June 2011 in Remada Plaza, Gammarth (Tunis) will present the new prospects characterizing the business environment in Tunisia and the action implemented to support the expansion of the foreign direct investments over this transitional period, in the process of leading Tunisia towards more entrepreneurial freedom and increase investment opportunities.

Tunisia Investment Forum will bring together experts and investors who will present the new features of the business environment, free from the repressive grip that has long discouraged many operators to settle in Tunisia. This forum will be also a privileged place for informal networking between Tunisian and foreign operators seeking new partnership and business opportunities. During these meetings FIPA-Tunisia  will seek to  optimize the visit of its foreign guests who will also have the opportunity to discover the International Trade Show for Industrial partnership and Innovation "Tunis Med-Industry 2011" and the International Forum for Electronics "Fortronic" which will be held concomitantly with the Forum.

In this regard, the Embassy would like to inform that details related to the participation in this forum as well as hotel booking could be found in the following website: www.tunisiainvestmentforum.tn

Parliament has stopped short of full-targeted harmonisation of consumer rights: commerce regrets that the chance has been missed to boost cross-border e-commerce. GRTU welcomes most aspects of today's agreement but has concerns that the Consumer Rights Directive does not go far enough. Commerce applauds the rejection of the proposed obligation on traders to deliver anywhere in the EU and to pay all returns above 40 Euros.

However, we regret the failure to provide businesses with sufficient incentives to increase their online cross-border activities.

After more than two years of discussion the European Parliament has adopted the Consumer Rights Directive. Many improvements have been made compared to the previous Parliament text and the minimum harmonised chapters have been deleted. However, provisions remain which will allow divergent member state rules and result in legal fragmentation in particular for on-premises contracts.

As the directive now stands, there is a high risk that there will be even less consumer choice and an increase in product prices due to some provisions.

A positive element of the directive is that it sets a common set of rules on information requirements, but the list is too extensive and will severely complicate day to day activities for businesses. The requirement to supply consumers with confirmation of orders placed over the phone on a durable medium will prove impractical in many cases: for example for flowers to be delivered in a few hours. In addition, member states can impose a rule that the consumer is only committed once he has signed the offer or sent written consent, whether by durable medium will depend on the member state. This obligation will create more obstacles not only for traders but also for consumers.

A rule that traders must reimburse consumers before they have received back return goods opens up the doors for fraud. This will be detrimental for businesses – in particular for small businesses. Written confirmation that the consumer has sent back goods is not a guarantee that the trader will in fact recover the same goods or that they will be intact.

GRTU has this morning met representatives of the ETC regarding the Employment Aid Programme (EAP). ETC representatives very encouragingly stated that the amount of applications they had envisaged to receive has actually been acceded and a total of 1700 jobs employing disadvantaged groups have been generated with the help of the EAP.

Over €8m in funds have been allocated but a significant number of employers have not yet claimed reimbursement back as they are eligible for half the wage and NI costs of the person they have employed under the EAP. Various reasons were attributed to this, such the cases where the employer chooses to benefit from another scheme, however it was agreed that the GRTU and the other bodies together with the ETC and the MCESD would contact the employers individually and give them direct assistance to help them claim back the reimbursement. In addition to this a general campaign would run parallel to this initiative.

ETC will also introduce new initiatives that will directly ease reimbursements and will also keep an eye open for possible improvements in relation to future schemes.

GRTU has today welcomed Hon Jason Azzopardi, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Businesses and Lands, following an invite by the National Executive Council to present the Small Business Act. Hon Azzopardi was accompanied by Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Alfred Camilleri.

GRTU's President Paul Abela emphasised how important the private sector is and we regret to see such a negative bias against the private sector. GRTU's Director General stated that the GRTU considers Hon Azzopardi to be ours, the advocate of the private sector in the world of Government. He continued saying that the private sector does not want subsidies but we don't want any more burdens. Therefore the Small Business Act (SBA) is a very important doc for us.

Hon Azzopardi thanked the GRTU for the opportunity and this is the second formal meeting with the GRTU and stated that he looks forward to more regular meetings. Hon Azzopardi  made reference to President Paul Abela's comment that there is prejudice against the private sector within the public sector and he admitted it is a problem and he is fighting against it and if there is nothing in the SBA, it should be commended as sets the scene for a cultural change in this respect. There is however a determination from Government to combat the bias and introduce the mental change.

Hon Azzopardi stated that the Micro Credit Scheme is to the credit of GRTU. BOV has already approved 30 applications with the value of €4.1m. 300 other applications are to be processed with a total value of €20m.

Hon Azzopardi made reference to the white paper launched yesterday for consultation in relation to the street markets. He outlined that it took great courage to initiate this kind of policy. It will not change the world but it will make a difference, differences which are important for retailers.

On the SBA Hon Azzopardi mentioned 5 important points which will change the way businesses are treated by the public sector:

• In the original draft there was no reference to the European Charter for Small Enterprises and now there is a specific reference. The Charter is a self-commitment from the Member States to improve the business environment for small enterprises
• For the first time there is a standstill period of 2 months before compliance with a new law
• Guidelines in the legal notice that explain the law in layman terms for the users
• Everything would be available online. The one stop shop in Malta Enterprise will be launched very shortly by the Minister.
• SME Impact Assessment: All laws must be tested against this. The Prime Minister will not accept any legal notice without it. The Economic Policy Division will be beefed up and will have the task of implementing this.

In addition to this Hon Azzopardi stated that he was invited by Commissioner Tajani to make a presentation on the Malta Small Business Act as a best practice.

Mr Farrugia stated that a there should be more than just a reference to the European Charter Government has to see what Malta as a country has not yet adopted from it. Especially the issue of 2^nd and 3^rd chance.

Mr Farrugia stated his disappointment that he learned certain very important information today  which GRTU should have been informed about earlier. He said that it is horrible how detached this Government is from the constituted bodies.

In conclusion Mr Farrugia said that we have no doubt that the law is good but the implementation is still to be seen. There were many good Government initiatives over the years but implementation was always very poor.

GRTU Council members were also given the opportunity to voice their thoughts to the Parliamentary Secretary. GRTU also took this opportunity to thank Mr Alfred Camilleri who is a first class and reasonable civil servant and takes issues concerning the well being enterprises seriously.

Il-GRTU f'isem l-President, l-Kunsill Ezekuttiv, d-Direttur Generali, l-amministrazzjoni u l-membri, ssellem lil Mary Fenech Adami, mara li dahlet fil-qlub tal-Maltin kollha ghas-semplicita' u tjubija taghha u ghal dak kollu li ghamlet b'kuragg u mhabba waqt zminijiet difficli fl-istorja ricenti ta' pajjizna.Il-GRTU testendi l-kondoljanzi lil Dr Edward Fenech Adami u lil familja Fenech Adami.