Author: SME Chamber

GRTU has this week written to Hon
Minister Mario Demarco referring to the cordial meeting held two weeks ago
where GRTU noted the reluctance of Government to proceed with amending the
legislation according to the request and justification presented by GRTU, ie that
any producer who places packaging in the market directly to the consumer should
be a member of an Authorized Scheme. 548 producers currently consider
themselves as self compliant.

GRTU considered this as an anomaly and
also informed the Minister that the Schemes cannot continue to operate
sustainably unless such anomalies are solved, either through revised
legislation or else by direct enforcement.

GRTU has to point out that we have to
date kept a commitment with Government, that of setting up and operating a
kerbside collection Scheme, door to door. This was done amidst heavy sacrifices
and continued hard work. This we continue to do by paying thousands of Euros
weekly for the operation to be sustained. It is a 24 hour round the clock
operation which includes 6 fulltime staff and six part time staff directly
employed with Green MT and also over 45 subcontractors. Beyond Green Mt uses
the services of a number of service providers who are endless to name here.
Further more we had taken the commitment of meeting each Local Council so many
times to get this Scheme rolling. To date all this operation results in 270
tons of waste diverted from landfilling to recycling.

GRTU has kept its commitment through
the establishment of Green MT. If Government in any way or manner is no longer
committed to the way the implementation of the policy is being done today, then
Government should duly inform us accordingly.

During the meeting GRTU President Paul
Abela recommended that those producers who opt for self compliance should
firstly provide the Competent Authority, MEPA, with the methodology they intend
to use to self comply to the obligations outlined in Legal Notice 277 of 2006.
MEPA should then look at the methodology and approve or otherwise request
further assurances.

Additionally, GRTU has requested the
Minister to set up a Monitoring Committee in relation to enforcement as
promised by the same Government during its Budget Speech of 2011. (page 50).

We have spoken verbally to Mr Peter
Portelli, Perm Sec, and we recommended that even if the Monitoring and
Enforcement Committee is not set up, at this stage a meeting every month of the
Approving Body could be dedicated to this issue. In this way it would be a
structured issue and MEPA Officials would need to report feedback at the said
meeting. Accordingly Schemes would be present and together we could set up a
monthly enforcement strategy.

Furthermore GRTU informed that we are
aware that currently MEPA has received another three applications for the
setting up of Waste Packaging Compliance Schemes. GRTU has made it clear that
currently both Schemes cover collections from all Local Councils in Malta and
Gozo together with additional initiatives at Local Council levels that are a
great cost to both Authorized Scheme.

GRTU informed also that any other
permitted Waste Packaging Compliance Scheme needs to cater for at least 100,000
residents. Currently Green MT, GRTU's subsidiary, caters for well over 250,000
residents spread in 37 Local Councils across Malta and Gozo.

As the Minister responsible for policy
in this sector, Minister Demarco was informed that GRTU will cease operations
at Local Councils overnight should MEPA issue any permit to operate any other
Waste Packaging Compliance Scheme without the same responsibilities as we have
today. And it is no solace to us that MEPA Official Mr Kevin Mercieca states
that MEPA will issue the same kind of permit as currently held by Schemes. Our
operational permit does not include collection from Local Councils, although
the reporting requirements do. So we recommend that if this is a legal anomaly
it is tackled immediately unless Government has other policy ideas in mind.

Together with many other stakeholders,
GRTU has worked extremely hard to make sure that we implement a waste recycling
strategy which is fair and based on the extended polluter pays principle. These
stakeholders spent too many hours setting up legislation and implementing such
policy in order to make sure that Malta is complying to EU Regulations and also
to be doing what is morally correct.

GRTU notes that it seems that either
Government is looking into other options and trying its best to dismantle what we
have built so far, or else we are not taking strong decisions due to the time
frame the country is in today.

GRTU requested the Minister to make
sure that the issues outlined above are taken with utmost seriousness. Failure
to do so would mean that Authorized Packaging Schemes that exist today will not
be sustainable at all in the future and it would be Government that would be
once again responsible for these operations from all Local Councils at a very
expensive logistical cost, amounting to well over 5million Euros annually.

GRTU has stuck to its commitments which
have meant long hard hours of work and dedication to the cause, that of making
sure that the Maltese and Gozitan Business communities gear up to their
environmental obligations in respect to LN 277 of 2006. It has not been a rosy
path.

We retort that if Government is now
changing its initial plans or policies in respect to this matter, GRTU is to be
informed duly so that we could work together to transfer this responsibility
back to Government in breach of EU Legislation. Words need to be backed by
facts.

GRTU is currently awaiting feedback from the Minister.

At an Extraordinary General Meeting of
the Lotto Receivers Union held earlier this week, it was unanimously approved
that the Lotto Receivers Union affiliates its members with the GRTU Malta
Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises.This affiliation comes at a time when
Maltco Lotteries Limited has just initiated its ten year contract award in
relation to lotto and other National Lottery Games in Malta and Gozo. As thus
Maltco continues on its earlier eight year contract.

As such GRTU has requested a meeting
with Maltco which will be held in mid September, to discuss a few issues which
need trimming in the current agreement between Maltco and the individual lotto
receivers. GRTU is proactive in such situations to present on the table win win
situations. We want to see our members gaining more profits and in the meantime
Maltco exceeding their sales targets.

We cannot do this through a dividing
wall. We will make this happen if both parties work together hand in hand in
the coming ten years. No business is fruitful if it is one way traffic.
Together we are able to go beyond our customers expectations.

At present one lotto receiver is being
deprived of his livelihood because Maltco have requested a 140% increase in his
individual bank guarantee. They have litereally switched of his point of sale.
GRTU has asked Maltco to reconnect this individual's livelihood by close of
business today and of course the matter will then be cordially discussed in our
first coming meeting and a  solution
acceptable to one and all reached. We are aware that guarantees or some sort of
fiscal arrangement is in place so that Maltco's receipt of income is never in
jeopardy. We do not want it to be either. GRTU was born out of businesses
wanting to safeguard their own interests. To us Maltco is a business too. Even
more, it is there and providing a livelihood to many families and we want that
relationship to flourish and grow.

GRTU has over the years learned that
businesses want their own individual freelance of operation, and whilst being
innovative, would also meet their expectations and go beyond. GRTU is not a
workers union. GRTU is there for its members to continue to thrive on their
current earnings and keep their own values at heart.  GRTU is here to work with sectors and
Government to promote more entrepreneurial spirit. The lotto receivers are a
part of this scenario and we will work with them and with Maltco to come to
terms on a number of issues that currently need to be addressed.

GRTU gladly welcomes the lotto receivers as genuine members
within GRTU. We would also at this point auger that better relations are built
between Maltco and the individual lotto receivers with GRTU. Maltco could
easily lead the way by reactivating this single lotto receiver s point of sale
terminal. Let's be human, let's make sure this gentleman is allowed to earn a
living, after all he has not infringed on legislation in place.

Transport Malta has been approached by the Operator of the Floriana Park & Ride where-by they are requesting permission for the setting up of a Circus from mid-November 2012 to 6^th January, 2013 in the Floriana Park & Ride 2.

In this regard, members operating in the said areas are kindly requested to forward their  views via email;  by not later than Monday 27^th August, 2012.

The Malta Council for Science and Technology, a partner in the FP7 project ‘ENV-NCP-Together', will be organising a Brokerage Event which will take place on Friday 31^st August 2012,  at the Corinthia Hotel, St. Georges Bay, Malta.

It is hoped that this Networking event will target a wide spectrum of companies, universities and researchers from Europe interested in sharing new project ideas and finding collaboration partners and will be focused on the challenges of the FP7 "Environment, incl. Climate Change 2013 Call for research project proposals.

During the event an opportunity will be created to get the latest insights and results on the Mediterranean Region and ecosystem; to facilitate the set-up of FP7 project consortia; to present, discuss and develop new project ideas on climate change and related topics at international level and to initiate cross-border contacts. A team of key experts from the Med Region have been invited to present their expertise on the theme. The European Commission will be represented by Dr. Iveta Aizbalte, Policy officer, DG Research and Innovation – Horizontal Aspects.  

The event is free of charge however we advice yo to register as soon as possible. Kindly register by clicking on the following link : http://www.b2match.eu/env-ncp-together-malta

GRTU has this week met its members in the hairdressers section for a consultation on the Framework Agreement signed at EU level and by the Maltese Hair and Beauty Federation. Below please find a summery of what was signed.

European Framework agreement on the protection of occupational health and safety in the hairdressing sector

Improving the working environment to protect workers` health and safety in the following areas:

Protection of skin and respiratory tract

• According to Article 6(3) and 9 of the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer shall carry out a risk assessment and shall take measures on the basis of the conclusions of such an assessment, making it possible to eliminate or reduce to a minimum the risk. The hierarchy of prevention principles should be applied.

• To avoid repeated contact for long periods of time with water and skin-irritating substances that may cause irritation and allergic reaction, the employer shall take individual protective measures and organise a balance between wet and dry work activities. Workers shall comply with the obligations laid down in Article 13 of the Framework Directive 89/391

• The employer shall use materials, products and tools which are safest to the health and safety of the workers and in a form which involves low exposure (dual chamber, pastes, granulates, etc..). In particular for the following:

• Permanent wave compositions containing thiogycolic acid ester (acidic permanent wave compositions)

• Hair cosmetics (blonding agents, dyes) releasing dust into the air

• Powdered natural rubber latex gloves

• Tools (eg clippers and scissors) which can transfer nickel to skin when in contact with it for a lengthy period of time

Prevention of musculo-skeletal disorders

• This occurs mainly in the muscles, tendons and nerves in the wrist, fingers, elbows, shoulder and back by causing pain and limit flexibility, which may lead to impairment in occupational and private life. The causes are repetitive hand movements, mental load, inadequate rest periods, unsuitable tools or incorrect use of equipment, strain at work, etc… It is suggested that workers consult a doctor for an occupational physician as soon as experiencing initial signs of MSD.

• The employer shall:

• organise the rotation of tasks whenever possible in order to avoid repetitive movements or strenuous work over an extended period of time and give appropriate instructions to workers in this sense.

• Comply with the provisions regarding working hours as laid down in the law

• The organisation of the salon makes it possible that tools and products to be used (except mixing stations) are within reach of the workstation. Preference would be given to trolleys. Which should be equipped with care products, especially protective gloves.

• When purchasing or refurbishing a premises purchase height-adjustable chairs, rotating chairs and height-adjustable roller stools (for support when standing), which ensures that arms, shoulders and backs are at the right working height. For hair wash installation it should be considered a selection based on work processes and ergonomic good practices with respect to design, function and layout of the installations.

• Hand held hair dryers and scissors must meet ergonomic requirements, be as light, quiet and low in vibration as possible.

Working environment and organisation of work

Employers shall:

• Provide sufficient space to the workers at their workstations to carry out their duties without getting in each other's way, even when there are a lot of customers.

• Electrical, gas and water installations comply with relevant international standards and that the workrooms are illuminated evenly and glare avoided complying with national standards but 400 lux minimum is recommended.

• Ensure hairdressing rooms are property ventilated. A fresh air flow of 100m3/hour per person working at the workplace is normally sufficient. (Fans, natural cross or technical ventilation

• Ensure mixing or transferring of chemical substances that can generate hazardous gases, fumes or particulates shall take place at special workstations that have an appropriate complementary ventilation system.

• Provide facilities dedicated to hand hygiene and care of the workers and put at their disposal adequate equipment and products for their purpose

• Ensure cosmetics are stored in cold places, bottles are stored sealed in the original package and product that are a fire hazard are kept away from flammable materials. Empty or partially used product containers shall be disposed of in safe and environmentally-friendly manner.

• Equip the hand wash and care facilities for workers with suitable skin cleansing, protection and care agents and disposable towels.

• Provide protective gloves that are sufficiently resistant to hairdressing chemicals and strong enough to ensure that they are not damages by normal work. They shall be non-sensitising and shall be of such a size and style as to fit the hands of users. The cuffs of washing gloves must stretch well beyond the wrist.

• Ensure the tools (combs, scissors, hairclips, etc..) are cleaned and disinfected

• Ensure that the premises, including toilets are maintained in a clean condition and floors are maintained regularly.

When new or refurbishing employers shall introduce floor coverings that are non slip so that persons can move about safely

Maternity protection

• EU and national legislation shall be observed. Employers shall take particular care to such situations when organising work. When in doubt a doctor should be consulted. Prohibitions by doctors shall be respected.

Mental health and wellbeing

• To contribute to a healthy and balanced mental environment, the employer shall ensure a careful preparation of work and appropriate planning of the working time and work organisation aimed at optimising resource management and preventing emotional collapse.

• Implement Framework agreement on work related stress.

• The employer shall provide workers with the necessary support, clarification of responsibilities and decision making powers were appropriate.

Individual protective measures

Workers shall

• wear suitable clothes and in particular shoes with non-slip soles.

• not wear jewellery on their hands and arms during work

• not leave aqueous solutions containing irritating substances or preparations to dry on the skin

• Prevent involuntary contact with hairdressing chemicals, workers shall not dry their hands with the customer' towels.

• Disposable single-use gloves shall be used for operations involving hairdressing chemicals, including rinsing dyes. Workers shall wear suitable protective gloves provided by the employer:

• Applying dyes, tints and blonding agents, including when checking the results, emulsifying and rinsing

• Applying permanent waves including trial curiling and setting

• Preparing mixing and transferring chemical substances

• Washing hair

• Washing or disinfecting equipment, instruments or rooms

• Cream their hands skin protection preparations before starting work. Where appropriate cleanse their hands with pH neutral cleanser, dry them and cream them.

• Not eat or smoke in workrooms

• Use mixing appliances, portion dispensers and suitable containers for diluting concentrates

A discussion will be held next week in a conference. It is important for hairdressers to attend.

The business community led by GRTU continues to be baffled by Government‘s laissez faire attitude in respect to the implementation of the WEEE Directive in Malta. Would this attitude be just because it cannot afford to lose an income of 8million Euros from Eco Contribution receipts?

Or is it because the Authorities are somehow aware that Malta being so small will not face any infringement notice from the EU? Or is it because once it does receive an infringement notice it would ask the producers to fork out the bill, because this WEEE Directive is a direct producer responsibility and not the Government's?

The current MEPA WEEE register shows an amount of producers who have registered as WEEE producers but as yet have not taken any further steps because they are paying Eco Contribution heftily for all EEE products they place on the market.

And now the WEEE Directive has been amended drastically by the EU Commission and whilst we priorly had an obligation to recover 4kg per capita , our next obligation is recovery and recycling of 45% of any EEE goods placed on the market The 4kilos per capita represented approximately 12% of market placement. At 4kilos per capita Malta did nothing about this Directive, we failed miserably, and so GRTU is baffled and what the next step would be!

 Again, is it one of those Directives that can wait till after an election? If so, we are living in pitiful times. Environmental issues have no elections, they proceed day in day out and continue to be a hazard to our health. And strangely enough whilst well aware we can do much better, Authorities continue to linger?

There is one answer to all this. Minister Demarco should stand up and be counted. He knows that the policy in respect to this WEEE Directive is blatantly wrong. He has been told a million times over. Maybe some bright guy from Ministry of Finance has advised him that although producers are paying Eco Contribution, they are also legally liable to comply to the European Directive transposed into Maltese Legislation by Legal Notice 63 of 2007.

If this is the case then, once again we are in a sorry state. The stark reality is one, Government has not been able to come up with Euro 8 million income which he will lose if producers become exempt of payment of Eco Contribution due to their participation with a WEEE Compliance Scheme. 

It is all about lack of ideas, and lack of taking up challenges. It is all about beating round the bush. It is all about adding beaurocracy to beaurocracy. GRTU and other members of the business community have spend thousands of hours discussing implementation of the WEEE Directive. To date we have not come to terms…its been six long years….only one word can describe this…utterly disgusting from any point of view

To go one step further GRTU visited the EU Commission Environment Directorate on 17^th November 2010. They were very surprised that Malta has legislation in place which impedes the swift introduction of this Directive. They also said they would take action. They never did or do we have an infringement notice hidden in someone's drawer. Time will tell.

The Business Community led by GRTU is only left with three options now…

1. Operate a WEEE Compliance Scheme at the expense of having to increase the retail price of all Electrical and Electronic Equipment being sold to end customers, and in doing so evading any future penalties. But this would mean an increase in all consumer prices.

2. Instruct all producers who are today paying Eco Contribution to deposit the Eco Contribution due at the Maltese Courts, and in doing so placing Government under further pressure to come to terms with the Business Community.

Government is failing miserably in this issue.

It is failing in its moral obligations towards society. It is failing in its obligation towards the Business Community led by GRTU that has worked hard to set up a Compliance Scheme, Green MT to logistically implement such a Directive. It is failing on the European front since it is nowhere near the past 4kg target!

GRTU asks one question? Does the Government really care?

minhabba il-Funeral ta` l-Ex Prim Ministru Dom Mintoff – Ninfurmaw li s-Servizz tal-gbir ta' l-iskart min dawn it-Toroq – Triq Repubblika, Triq il-Merkanti, Triq Santa Lucija, Triq San Gwann, Triq it-Teatru, Triq Melita, Triq Nofsinnhar u Triq San zakkarija;

ta' nhar il-Hamis 23 ta' Awwissu 2012 jrid jihareg fil-16.00hrs

nhar is-Sibt 25 ta' Awwissu 2012 irid jihareg fis-14.00hrs minhabba li l-Funeral Statali jispicca fis-13.00hrs

Ninfurmak ukoll li t-tqassim tax-xoghol fl-istess Toroq imsemmija nhar is-Sibt 25 ta' Awwissu ser jkun sad-9.00a.m u mhux sad-9.30a.m minhabba l-Funeral Statali.

F'kas ta' diffikulta nitolbok tikkuntattja l-Ufficcju Amministrattiv tal-Kunsill Lokali tal-Belt fuq numru  21234141

Il-GRTU, Kamra Maltija tan-Negozji Zghar u Medji issellem lill-Perit Dom Mintoff, ex-Prim Ministru u mexxej storiku tal-Partit Laburista Malti u tesprimi is-soghba tal-mexxejja u membri tal-GRTU wara l-mewt tieghu. Il-Perit Dom Mintoff ta' kontribuzzjoni qawwija matul il-hajja politika twila tieghu biex tissahhah l-identita' nazzjonali ta' pajjizna, tissahhah l-infrastruttura ekonomika u tinholoq bazi ghall-industrija u t-turizmu u jinholqu opportunitijiet godda ta' xoghol f'pajjizna ghall-haddiema Maltin.

Kien fundamentali biex f'pajjizna jinbena' l-welfare state, jinqered il-faqar u jissahhu s-snajja tal-Maltin u jikbru l-opportunitajiet ghan-negozji zghar u ghas-self-employed. Il-GRTU bhala l-organizzazzjoni bl-akbar firxa u numru ta' negozji Maltin imsiehba tat is-sehem shih taghha biex il-politika ta' fejda ghall-Maltin imhaddma mill-Perit Mintoff tahdem ghall-gid ta' kullhadd, ghalkemm ir-relazzjonijiet bejn il-GRTU u l-amministrazzjoni tal-Perit Mintoff kienu hafna drabi turbulenti minhabba imgieba li kienet konfliggenti mal-idejali ta' kummerc hieles u liberta' lill-inizjattiva' privata bhala bazi ta' demokrazija u ekonomija hielsa u moderna li huma principji fundamentali ghall-GRTU.

Il-GRTU testendi is-sobgha ghall-mewt tal-Perit Dom Mintoff lill-familjari tieghu u lil dawk kollha li habbewh f'hajtu.

GRTU commends the Malta Environment and Planning Authority for issuing an Enforcement Order to the operator of an unpermitted waste sorting depot that had sprouted up in Zabbar. MEPA are well aware that there are other waste sorting depots as far as Gozo that also need such an enforcement notice. 

MEPA is well aware that a holder of a waste broker permit does not entitle one to operate a Waste Management Facility. MEPA should now delve deeper to see what volumes were deposited at that unpermitted facility and who brought these volumes of recyclable waste material to this facility. And MEPA should investigate who were the waste brokers who bought the material for export from this unpermitted site. Or was it the same offender who was responsible for exporting the said material? If so,this teaches us all a lesson. Such operators should not have vertical permits, i.e. a permit as a waste carrier, a permit as a Waste Broker and also a permit as a Waste Management Facility (the last permit was available for another site and not this site)

And if as stated, the offender does have a license and permit to handle waste, then this permit should be revoked now. In this sector like many others Malta does not need untrustworthy operators and the message by MEPA should be loud and clear. No permits to offenders in this sector. Payment of penalties is not enough in such instances.

Operators who are duly operating in this sector or who wish to take up these operations in the future should be well aware of their destiny should they decide to operate in a clandestine manner. MEPA knows sufficiently well that many of the problems it has to face are self-inflicted as a result of incompetent enforcement. MEPA's tolerance standards are far too high for serious environment protection and this is particularly through in waste management.

Malta's Waste Management Strategy, both policy and implementation, is at its infancy stage and GRTU accepts that MEPA should not tolerate rogue traders to be a part of these operations. MEPA is there to make sure that policy and strategy in relation to Environmental Issues are followed and adhered to and GRTU will support every inch of the way all its efforts in this direction. GRTU has led in both the setting up of a strategy in the recovery of recyclable waste through the setting up of Green MT, a fully owned subsidiary which has over the last five years enticed the business community to comply to their environmental obligations in respect to Packaging Waste Regulations.

Five years later, GRTU stands tall knowing that in the last three years of Green MT's operation, 38,000 tons of separated waste was collected from Malta and Gozo, instead of being landfilled.

MEPA should now continue its efforts both on other illegal waste sorting depots situated in a number of places in Malta and Gozo, including behind closed garage doors, and issue enforcement notices. A Waste Management Facility, being what it is should have an operational permit from Day 1. This is imperative. MEPA cannot allow the sprouting up of a black economy in this sector. There are permitted facilities, waste management facilities, who have spent thousands of Euros to make sure that their facilities are operating according to the requirements of their environmental permit. MEPA cannot drive these operators out of business because it allows a black market economy to bolster. And this is not an issue of auditing, for MEPA audits permits issued only and these have none. So allowing such operations to sprout is adding insult to injury.

It is no small task but we are sure that with commitment, and the continued discussion and dissemination of information with stakeholders who have existing permits, MEPA Enforcement Directorate can stand up and be counted.

In order to help MEPA achieve this aim, GRTU strongly urges Government to set up the Monitoring Enforcement Committee in relation to Producer Responsibility as stated in its Budget document of 2011. The setting up of this Committee is already three years late. GRTU hopes this renewed call will now not fall on deaf ears.