Author: SME Chamber

No wonder the taxi drivers in London and Paris protested angrily after the introduction of the UBER system in their respective cities.  UBER is already affecting their business in a big way and they are right to worry. So what is this UBER that everyone is talking about all over Europe? In a nutshell it matches people who need to go from one place to another within in a city with people who can offer a ride in their car to the desired location. The people providing the driving service are regular citizens looking to make some extra money on the side and not traditional taxi drivers. Having personally experienced just how good this system is performing in major cities such as Brussels, there is no doubt in my mind that this system could also work equally well in Malta. Once you try it, you will be simply amazed at how well the system works.

So, you start by downloading an App on your mobile phone or tablet. There is an app for all the popular mobile platforms. You will need to have a data connection on your device whenever you use it, but who doesn’t these days ?. Once you have downloaded and installed the app, you will need to create an account with UBER which is easy enough. You will be asked for your personal details and your credit card details as well. Don’t worry that your credit card might be abused; this is a tried and tested global system and comes highly recommended. When you create an account, you will be sent a key which you must then type in the first time you use the system. Once you have done that you are good to go.

So, how do you use it ? Simple, the next time you need to travel to a location, all you need to do is fire up your UBER app and select the destination. The app knows where you are already and immediately tells you how far away your driver is, even before you select your destination. You can also request a fare estimate which is supplied instantaneously. Once you click on the button to accept the terms and summon the driver, the location of the driver is shown on a map and you can also see approximately how long it is going to take the driver to get to your location. You can zoom in on the map and see exactly where the driver is and if you see that he is going the wrong way or cannot find you for some reason you can either call, text or even use one of the free messaging services to guide him. Once the driver arrives and you get into the car, the trip will have started. When you arrive at your destination the driver will click a button on his mobile to signal that the trip is complete. Through your mobile device, you will then be asked to rate the driver. This is an excellent feature of the system as it should weed out careless or inexperienced drivers through simple peer review. When initially you start the process you are always shown the driver rating and you can cancel your UBER order at any time if you see that the driver has a poor rating, or you don’t like him for some reason. You can also see a picture of the driver, the type of vehicle and his car registration number as well. The driver is also seeing where you are on his mobile device, knows your name and where you are from and uses the app itself to navigate to your location. Your credit card is only debited when the trip is complete. The way UBER payments work make the whole process easier as you don’t have to reach for your wallet for the money and the driver does not have to ensure that he has the correct change. There is also no possibility of the driver asking you for more money or cheating you in some other way. There is also no meter that the driver can fiddle with. You are tracked through your mobile device so there can be no disagreements with time taken or distance travelled.

Besides the above, which is, after all what one would expect the system to do to perform its core functions, the UBER system also allows you to share a ride with someone else. Say for example you are with a colleague and you both need to go to the airport. If your colleague also has an UBER account, you simply add the person to the ride and the cost of the ride is split equally between the two. Since payment is totally automated, there is no messy splitting of the fair in the traditional way and having to look for small change and so on which make it so easy to share a ride.

When the volume of people using the UBER system increases substantially such a on a Friday evening when people go out and therefore there is high demand, UBER informs you that the cost will be higher than usual and asks you if you want to accept this change. It will even inform you if you want to wait for the excessive demand to subside.

One of the things that totally amazes you when you try to use the service for the first time is the variety of people who are choosing to be drivers for UBER. Remember, that as mentioned above, these are not Taxi drivers. They are simply people looking to earn some extra money using their car. Because of this, and through my personal experience, I can tell you that they try to talk to you and are usually far better educated than your average taxi driver.  They are interested in knowing where you are from and what you do and try hard to strike up a conversation with you. They are also instructed to offer you bottled water and this they do every time although personally, I found this quite strange. It is in their interest that they make your ride as enjoyable as possible. You will be rating them when you get to wherever it is you want to go!

And don’t worry that your driver may pick you up driving a piece of junk because UBER even allows you to select the type of car you would like to use. You will of course pay more for a high end sedan than for a regular every day car.

Besides the sheer convenience of not having to walk to a taxi stand or call a taxi company the fares being charged by UBER are far lower than taxi fares even in major cities such as Brussels. For example, a trip from one of the hotels situated around the Shuman area in Brussels to Brussels airport would usually set you back approximately €55 whereas with UBER it costs €21 to €27 depending on the traffic conditions and at lean times it can even go down to €11!. The difference in price is striking but the service is the same if not better with UBER. On top of the cheap prices, you  always know beforehand the cost of your trip.

Applied to the Malta scenario UBER could definitely work. Distances are short and there should be no shortage of drivers. Consider for example, you have an errand in Valletta, using your car will mean the cost of the fuel which can be substantial if you include the extra fuel that you waste looking for parking. Most likely you will also end up having to either pay for your parking or at least for CVA. With UBER, the costs incurred by the driver will only be the fuel costs from your location to Valletta and most likely, if the system is well known he would very likely pick another passenger from Valletta on his way back. There is also the wear and tear on your car which you have to consider as well as the risk of having your car damaged either through a collision or through somebody scratching it which is all too common in places like Valletta.

The downside of the system could be safety concerns as you are in effect riding in a car with a stranger, however, with a Taxi there is also some of this risk element as I am sure many will agree. Taxi drivers are well known for arrogant behavior and for trying to extort money from unwary tourists for example. The peer review system should also help to warn potential users that a driver is unreliable. UBER also employ a vetting system which is tailored according to the country that the driver lives in. Furthermore, the fact that the system requires at least a basic knowledge of how to use a mobile phone, ensures that at least a basic level of education is required to become a driver and applicants need to be at least literate.

Article by Marcel Mizzi (GRTU Vice President, Finance & Administration)

 

 

GRTU and its members in the Gas Distributors sector has this week met Liquigas in a cordial meeting to discuss a number of issues that were pending and were creating friction between both parties. The meeting was called to trash out these issues and enhance dialogue between both parties with the aim of creating a better working relationship and building trust for the benefit of all the parties involved, including the final consumer.

The relationship between Liquigas and the distributors has been somewhat turbulent during the last years, which all also due to uncertainty in licences and policy. Both parties however seemed intent in putting the past behind them and having a healthy business to business relationship in the future as both parties stated that they are here to stay.

A number of issues were discussed, many of which relate to problems created after Liquigas took over from Enemalta and in the transition some issues affecting the distributors were never ironed out. These included the issue of refunds for cylinder stocks the distributors had to organise to make up for stock flow problems by suppliers. The problem of stocks was solved and distributors sought refunds. Liquigas said that if the paperwork is in order and any mistakes were made in bona fide they have no problem in affecting the required refunds. Other issues raised by the distributors were those on payment procedures and deposits on cages, on which Liquigas were equally forthcoming.

Other issues were also discussed during which the discussion heated up because of the sensitivity of these issues but it was agreed that further meetings were needed.

Throughout the meeting it was reinforced the need to reinforce trust between both parties. GRTU thanked Liquigas for their commitment to the sector and looked forward to future progress for the benefit of both parties. The meeting was attended by the majority of distributors.

 

 

Is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Biedja, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali Roderick Galdes illum nieda l-iskema tal-Marka ta’ Kwalità għall-prodotti agrikoli lokali. Din il-Marka ta’ Kwalità – li se tkun qed titpoġġa fuq prodotti li jilħqu ċertu livell –
se tkun garanzija li l-prodott li qed jinxtara mhux biss jilħaq l-istandards minimi Ewropej, iżda fih ukoll ċertu kwalitajiet li jmorru lil hinn fil-mod kif ġie kkultivat/mrobbi, mwassal u ppakjat, bil-garanziji ta’ proċess awditjat u ċertifikat f’mod indipendenti.

Is-Segretarju Parlamentari spjega kif din mhux se tkun sempliċiment tikketta li titwaħħal ma’ kwalunkwe prodott, iżda sservi wkoll ta’ protezzjoni għall-prodotti u produtturi ġenwini.

Roderick Galdes irrimarka kif b’din l-iskema, mill-għalqa sal-mejda il-prodott se jkun traċċabli u l-proċess trasparenti. Hu qal li kien ilu jinħass il-bżonn biex bħal pajjiżi oħra, Malta jkollha sistema u prodotti lokali li jaqgħu taħt il-qafas magħruf u sostnut mill-Unjoni Ewropea.

Hu spjega li diġa tnieda proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni dwar l-istandards ta’ kwalità ma’ diversi raħħala u bdiewa f’diversi setturi, b’mod partikolari l-produzzjoni taż-żejt taż-żebbuġa, tadam tal-ipproċessar, laħam tal-fenek, għasel, laħam tal-majjal, ħalib u prodotti tal-ħalib tal-baqar, ħalib u prodotti tal-ħalib tan-nagħaġ u mogħoż, frott u ħaxix frisk, u bajd u laħam tat-tiġieġ. Madankollu din il-lista mhux esklussiva u għaldaqstant aktar setturi u prodotti jistgħu jiġu nklużi fil-futur.

Il-logo intgħażel wara kompetizzjoni b’madwar 100 sottomissjoni minn tim ta’ tlett esperti fil-qasam tal-marketing u komunikazzjoni li b’mod indipendenti għażlu r-rebbieħ. Eventwalment il-logo magħżul ġie emendat skont ir-rakkomandazjonijiet tal-esperti.

GRTU was represented by Ms Carmen Borg at a seminar organised by the National Commission for Further and Higher Education (NCFHE) regarding the recognition of qualifications with particular attention to its relevance to employers.

The opening address was delivered by NCFHE CEO Ms Edel Cassar, whereas two plenary sessions were held. The speakers were MQRIC Head Ms May Anne Ciappara, Research & Policy Manager Ms Christine Scholz and NCFHE Officers Ms Angelique Grech and Ms Shirley Micallef.

Recognition of qualifications is not only a benefit to the individuals having obtained them, but also very central to employers in understanding the qualifications of their current and potential employees and the skills that they represent. Malta’s education system is captured within the Malta Qualifications Framework which is pegged to the European Qualifications Framework and the Qualifications Framework for the European Higher Education Area. This allows Maltese qualifications to be recognised and transferable into other national systems. The Malta Qualifications Recognition Information Centre (MQRIC) offers a wide range of services including the evaluation of diplomas and qualifications as well as the collation and dissemination of information related to professional and vocational qualifications. This is of particular interest in cases of employees with foreign qualifications or for the mobility of foreign employees to work in Malta. A major concern expressed was the delays in the evaluation of qualifications. This was mainly caused by qualifications from third countries which would need to be verified by the relevant national authorities.

There is also a wide range of qualifications which are automatically recognised and would not need to undergo recognition procedures at MQRIC. These include qualifications from public institutions which have self-accrediting status such as the University of Malta, the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), and the Institute for Tourism Studies (ITS). There are also institutions and programmes in Malta as well as overseas which can be found on the MQRIC website (http://bit.ly/1x9QNI8) that are recognised.

The MQRIC offices are open to the public on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am till noon and 2pm till 4pm. MQRIC can be reached on +356 2598 1493.

Two sets of Bring in Sites siutated at Xlendi Parking Bay were burned during the night between Wednesday and Thursday this week, more precisely between 12 midnight and 1 am.
These bring in sites consisted of six domed shaped Bins belonging to the Local Council of Munxar and four containers on wheels, property of Green MT, the National Authorised Packaging Waste Complaince Scheme . A total of ten containers and in addition two palm trees, and also a decorative lamp post. We estimate damages at a cost of nearly Euros 6000.

It was a night of dew and some rain so the containers could not have caught fire on their own merit. Arson is definately suspected and the case has been reported to the Police. The Civil Protection were on site within minutes and avoided more damages to other property. We have full confidence in the Police Force and we are sure this suspected arson will be investigated in its proper manner. Such incidents are aimed only to satisfy a single coward’s need and with the resulting inconvenience to the Community. We need to eradicate such individuals and bring them to justice.

The Police would do well to question every one who lives in the area, and go through all CCTVs that show vehicles going to the direction of Xlendi from Victoria or from Munxar to Xlendi during those hours. The investigation needs to go deep. If society wants the confidence of the Police Force to grow, it is such issues that need to be brought to justice. Forgetting the investment involved for the provision of this equipment, this is a concern for the moral fibre of society in general. The Police Force needs to be able to solve such cases. To solve such cases, there needs to be the will power. We cannot treat this matter as just another set of burned bins, with just the words ‘Case Unsolved’ at the end of the Police Report.

As a Scheme Green MT has gone through reporting nearly seventy burned bins in the last three years at an approximate cost of nearly Euros 20, 000. Only one case was solved, an arson of a set in Kirkop Malta.

Such incidents are condemned by not only the Scheme, but also by The Munxar Local Council who strives hard to make ends meet in this Locality. The Munxar Local Council has provided both the residents and the commercial community at Xlendi with a service next to none in respect to Waste Managment, a service which increases during the summer months. Green MT has invested heavily in emptying these bins and making sure they are kept clean despite the problems that we faced daily in peak months. This is a service to the community which we vouch we will continue to give, but we need the support of the Authorities to make sure that we are able to do this without such incidents. More Police monitoring is required until a culprit is caught and brough to justice. We will then name and shame.

We now have to rebuild this site, ten new bins, a new decorative lamp post and unfortunately the two palm trees which will now not survive this ordeal. The case is now left in the able hands of the Police Force. We are sure they are committed to solve this case and hopefully it will not end with the remaining list of unsolved cases. We thank them before hand for their commitment good work to solve this case.

Article by Joe Attard, CEO of Green Mt

EU Task Force identifies 2,000 potential projects worth €1.3 trillion – The EU Task Force on Investment published a report showing that there is significant potential for investment in Europe. It identifies around 2,000 projects across Europe worth some €1.3 trillion of potential investments, out of which over €500 billion worth of projects could potentially be implemented over the next three years.
Many of these projects are currently not being realised due to financial, regulatory or other barriers. Vice-President Katainen, responsible for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, said: “This report shows there are huge investment needs and viable projects that could lift economic growth and open up more job opportunities in Europe. There has been a severe disconnect between the available investment and credible projects on the ground. We are now taking a big step to restore investor confidence and connect the two.” Any project identified by the Task Force will have to be assessed thoroughly before being considered for finance. The central idea is to provide a pipeline of trustworthy projects which will restore investor confidence and unlock private sector investment to complement finance from Member States and the EU.

For more information can be found at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-2480_en.htm

The European Commission has just made public the imposition of definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of certain prepared or preserved citrus fruits (namely mandarins, etc.) and certain aluminum foil originating in the People’s Republic of China.

The details for the importation of citrus fruits can be accessed through the link below:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_354_R_0004&from=EN.

 

The details for the importation of certain aluminum foils can be accessed through the link below:

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:JOC_2014_444_R_0007&from=EN

Free E-Guide by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work – The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has officially launched the e-guide on managing stress and psychosocial risks.

The e-guide has been developed as part of the Health Workplace Manage Stress campaign, which aims to raise awareness on stress and other psychosocial risks that may be present at the place of work. The e-guide that has been also developed in Maltese language, will serve as a practical tool for employers and workers in addressing stress and psychosocial risks. The e-guide provides users with relevant national resources on stress and psychosocial risks and includes explanations, advice and examples on how stress and psychosocial risks can be addressed. Despite the fact that stress and psychosocial risks are considered one of the main concerns for workers’ health and safety, such risks are not being identified and managed in an appropriate manner.

 

The e-guide is free of charge and can be accessed online at: http://bit.ly/1BoJsDp