Category: Archive – 2008

Will the Ta' Qali Craft Village saga ever end? Most Craft Village operators have literally grown old waiting for this project  to  end.  No,  indeed, waiting for it to start. GRTU  preserves  the  TA'  QALI  craft village file as the oldest  file in action. It is incredible that this project started  way  back  in  the  early  1990's following  the  Nationalist  Party  Electoral  promise  of  1987  which  promise was regularly inserted in all succeeding PN electoral manifesto. 

The tender has long been issued and contractors have submitted theri bids GRTU is completely in the dark on this issue. Hopefully no one is hybernating or worst still cooking some new stew. We've had enough of the wise guys changing things as they step in the shoes of a some dim wit put aside…  We now need to go on with it. Many old faces are in retirement as they've given up waiting. Younger elements at  Ta'  Qali  remain  optimistic.  They all now expect Austin Gatt's recognised drive to be geared to their advantage and finally get the project implemented and concluded on target.

That's  one  celebration  GRTU  gladly looks forward to enjoy!

Gozo Channel was obliged some weeks back to introduce separate Ferry Services to meet today's more stringent safety at sea conditions. This since not all cargo is deemed to be safe enough to travel on vessels that are primarily intended as passenger carriers.

Gozo Channel rightly took the decision to conform to EU safety standards and presented traders who travel regularly to Gozo to distribute a wide variety of products that are termed as hazardous cargo. 

GRTU  was consulted by Gozo Channel,  as representatives of Maltese traders who trade regularly with Gozo and on behalf of Gozitan traders, retailers, service providers, farms who receive goods from Malta and the cargo haulers who transport the goods, expressed its opinion on the choice of dates and times and charges for the service. 

The main issue related to the times the service operated from Cirkewwa to Mgarr, Gozo. Most Maltese traders prefer to board ship as early as possible so that they are in Gozo by shop opening times and be in a position to finalise the Gozo circuit by 12 noon. Most businesses in Gozo close at noon for the afternoon break and Maltese traders tried to avoid the necessary cost of extra labour charges and delays caused by a belated start to the Gozo delivery run necessitated by late ferry trips time. 

Gozo Channel limited as they are by the pressure of scheduled passenger services particularly at peak passenger crossing times and the limited number of vessels on the CHANNEL LINES, offered only 08:30 am as the earliest time.

Once the service went into action GRTU RECEIVED TOO MANY COMPLAINTS NOT TO REVISIT THE DECISION TAKEN. GRTU IS NOW PRESSING GOZO CHANNEL FOR A FAIRER SOLUTION AS TRADERS PREFER TO CROSS AS EARLY AS 07:00 am then has to wait for the 08.30 am trip or the later 11:00 am trip. 

GRTU is proposing that now that Gozo Channel is shifting  one of the days of the regular weekly service to make life easier for Gozo-Malta trade in goods termed as hazardous by changing the first morning trip from 08:30 am to 07:00 am. 

GRTU IS FAIRLY CONFIDENT that Gozo Channel can muster the proposed change. Already Gozo Channel AGREED to BRING IN OTHER CHANGES THAT MAKE IT EASIER FOR TRADERS TO CROSS TO GOZO ON TRIPS THAT ARE PRACTICALLY PASSENGER FREE AND THE NEW CHANGE AS PROPOSED BY GRTU WILL FURTHER ENHACE A SERVICE THAT NOT ONLY PROVIDES BETTER SAFETY TO PASSENGERS BUT ALSO MEET INSURANCE AND REGULATORY  DIRECTIVES.

The GRTU has assessed once again the performance of business during the Christmas Season. Businesses surveyed were asked to compare their sales performance for this year against 2006. Most of those interviewed reported that their sales for this year were as successful as the previous year

The GRTU has assessed once again the performance of business during the Christmas Season. Businesses surveyed were asked to compare their sales performance for this year against 2006. Most of those interviewed reported that their sales for this year were as successful as the previous year.

The highest percentage of those interviewed sell TV and hi-fi appliances, jewellery, footwear, wearing apparel and gifts.

The GRTU has also assessed business perception vis-à-vis the euro changeover. Businesses surveyed were asked about the effect of the euro changeover on the running of their business so far. They were also asked if they had enough change to handle consumer's demand and also about the Bank services.

When asked about the National Euro Change over Committee (NECC) services, the retailers informed that NECC served its purpose well. However, they informed that the consumer is not well prepared.

Detailed pie charts will be sent via email as an excel document. Comments may be deduced from these presentations.

Wara li l-GRTU ghamlet talba lill-Ministru Tonio Fenech li issa hu wkoll responsabbli mis-settur kummercjali, biex il-hwienet ikunu jistghu jifthu fil-granet ta' festi fil-gimgha ta' qabel l-Ghid. Illum Tonio Fenech approva l-Avviz Legali biex il-hwienet kollha jkunu jistghu jifthu nhar il-Hadd 16 ta' Marzu u nhar l-Erbgha 19 ta' Marzu (festa ta' San Guzepp) fil-hinijiet normali tal-ftuh tal-hwienet.

 Il-GRTU tavza li l-ebda hanut ma hu obbligat li jiftah bilfors, l-ghazla hi f'idejn is-sidien. Il-GRTU izda gabet dan l-arrangament ghax deher car li sa din l-gimgha l-bicca l-kbira tan-nies kienu mghedija bl-Elezzjoni Generali u bil-hatra tal-Gvern gdid u ftit li xejn taw kaz li kienet wasslet l-festa l-kbira tal-Ghid u l-vaganzi tal-Ghid.

Il-GRTU ghalhekk issa li ghadda kollox tistenna li l-konsumaturi jsibu l-hin kollu disponibbli biex jaghmlu x-xirjiet taghhom ta' qabel l-Ghid bil-kumdita kollha.

Il-GRTU f'isem is-sidien tan-negozji tawgura lil kulhadd l-Ghid it-tajjeb.

Il-Messagg tal-GRTU lil Dr. Lawrence Gonzi fil-Bidu tat-tieni Gvern Gonzi.

Ghaziz Prim Ministru,

Hu l-pjacir kbir taghna li f'isem il-Kunsill Ezekuttiv Nazzjonali u l-eluf tas-sidien tan-negozji u self-employed imsiehba fil-GRTU nifirhulek ghall-hatra mill-gdid tieghek bhala Prim Ministru ta' Malta. Nifirhulek ukoll bhala Kap tal-Partit Nazzjonalista ghar-rebha Elettorali fl-Elezzjoni Generali 2008.

Hon. Dr. Lawrenece Gonzi, K.U.O.M.,LL.D.,M.P

Prim Ministru

Auberge de Castille,

Valletta

12 ta' Marzu 2008

Ghaziz Prim Ministru,

Hu l-pjacir kbir taghna li f'isem il-Kunsill Ezekuttiv Nazzjonali u l-eluf tas-sidien tan-negozji u self-employed imsiehba fil-GRTU nifirhulek ghall-hatra mill-gdid tieghek bhala Prim Ministru ta' Malta. Nifirhulek ukoll bhala Kap tal-Partit Nazzjonalista ghar-rebha Elettorali fl-Elezzjoni Generali 2008.

Ahna qed inharsu l-quddiem biex fl-iqsar zmien possibli inti twettaq l-bidliet mehtiega biex it-tieni Gvern tieghek ikun aktar efficjenti u  jkun f'pozizzjoni li jkompli jsahhah aktar l-process ta' partecipazzjoni ta' l-imsiehba socjali fit-tfassil u t-twettiq tal-politika ekonomika, socjali u edukattiva, u ambjentali ta' pajjizna. Innutajna b'sodisfazzjon l-ewwel stqarrijiet tieghek fejn inti ndikajt bic-car li dan ser ikun Gvern aktar miftuh u trasparenti, aktar frisk u aktar deciz li jsahhah l-istrutturi li jwassluna biex bl-aktar mod efikaci Malta tottjeni l-massimu mill-opportunitajiet kbar li s-shubija taghna fl-Unjoni Ewropeja qed toffrilna.

Ir-rieda qawwija tieghek li tghati prijorita lir-rikonciljazzjoni nazzjonali hu awgurju tajjeb hafna ghax nemmnu li din illum hi priorita assoluta. Ma jistax ikun li f'pajjiz zghir bhal taghna nibqghu nkattru l-firda u nhaddmu xi forma ta' eskluzzjoni fuq kriterji politici jew fuq xi kriterju iehor. Il-GRTU hi konfidenti illi f'Malta hawn talenti u hilijiet bizzejjed biex nirbhu l-isfidi li ghandna quddiemna. Ghandna tama qawwija li inti tgharaf tmexxi biex insibu soluzzjonijiet ottimali biex l-energija u t-talenti kollha tal-Maltin ikunu uzati kollha fl-ahjar interess ta' pajjizna. F'dan il-kuntest ninnutaw ukoll l-hegga tieghek li tkabbar l-ivestiment u zzid is-servizzi fl-edukazzjoni u t-tahrig. Is-setturi kollha li tirraprezenta l-GRTU jridu nifs gdid u hu mportanti hafna li int kunfidenti li twettaq dak kollu li hu possibli biex l-investiment tan-nies taghna jrendilhom aktar.

Il-GRTU tistenna li fl-iqsar zmien jibda l-process biex jissahhah l-Kunsill Malti ghall-izvilupp Ekonomiku u Socjali (MCESD). Kif inhu illum dan il-Kunsill mhux qed jahdem sewwa. Nistennew ukoll li tinbidel u tissahhah l-istruttura li hadet post l-MEUSAC.

Hu important li l-imsiehba socjali jkunu nvoluti bis-serjeta fil-process tat-tfassil tal-pjanijiet tal-Gvern. Hu importanti wkoll illi l-konsultazzjonijiet u d-diskussjonijiet strutturati dwar l-Unjoni Ewropeja jergu jilhqu il-livell li kien stabbilit fi zmien l-MEUSAC. Hu importanti li l-Unjoni Ewropeja ssir realta' wkoll ghas-settur privat kollu u li c-cittadini Maltin jhossuhom involuti f'dak li jolqothom. Ir-realta Ewropeja trid tohrog il-barra mil-konfini tal-politici u l-burokratici statali u titwassal aktar lill-poplu.

Ahna b'entuzjazmu nestendulek l-kapacitajiet kollha li llum ghandha l-GRTU biex nghinu lilek u l-Ministri tieghek iwettqu l-proposti kollha ta' fejda li huma nkorporati fil-Programm Elettorali li fuqu inti u shabek irbahtu l-Mandat Elettorali.

Nawguraw lilek u l-Kabinet l-gdid tieghek l-akbar success.

Insellu ghalik,

Paul Abela                                                                                       Vincent Farrugia

President                                                                                          Direttur Generali

Fil-prezentazzjoni tieghu lill-MCESD id-Direttur Generali Vincent Farrugia rrefera ghal dak li jirrapurtaw in-negozjanti li jaffettwa l-gholi fil-prezzijiet u li dwarhom il-Gvern Malti jista u hu obbligat, li jaghmel xi haga. L-imsiehba tal-GRTU u negozjanti l-ohra li hadu sehem fl-analazi indikaw dawn:

• Il-burokrazija zejda li ghandna fil-pajjiz u li dejjem tikber
• Ic-charges bla razan li jimponu l-banek
• Ic-charges amministrattivi li jimponu d-dipartimenti u l-entitajiet pubblici
• Ic-charges bla kontroll li jimponu l-monopolji pubblici jew privati bhal:
• Enemalta ghall-elettriku u fuels
• Go u Vodafone ghat-telefonija
• Freeport u Valletta Gateway Terminals ghall-portijiet
• Federated Mills ghad-dqiq
• Monopolji u ditti dominanti privati ohra li l-prezz taghhom ma tistax tinnegozjah
• Infieq zejjed fuq tragit fuq it-toroq kawza ta' dewmien, hsarat u mis-management tat-traffic
• Infieq zejjed ikkawzati mill-wardens u charges bl-addocc ta' parkeggjar
• Charges tal-portijiet li ghadhom xorta qawwijin hafna
• Infieq fuq shipping
• Infieq fuq vjaggar bl-ajru
• Infieq dejjem jikber fuq insurances
• Infieq li dejjem jikber fuq kwistjonijiet ta' ambjent
• Infieq li dejjem jikber fuq kwistjonijiet ta' health and safety
• Infieq li dejjem jikber fuq Food Hygiene u regolamenti ohra mfassla ghal pajjizi barranin
• Zelu zejjed fit-twettiq tad-direttivi u regolamenti Ewropej minghajr kaz ta' xejn ta' l-impatt fuq in-negozji z-zghar Maltin
• Regolamenti tax-xoghol li jimponu bla kaz ta' xejn u bla bzonn pizijiet zejda
• Il-ligi tat-thaddim tal-part-t imers
• Ebusija zejda minn naha tal-VAT li ssallab lil min qieghed sewwa flok li taqbad lil min jevadi
• Infieq zejjed marbut mal-Euro Changeover bla kumpens ta' xejn
• Infieq zejjed fuq licenzji u kontribuzzjonijiet minn entitajiet bhal MTA u Medical Authority
• Hlas ta' kirjiet esagerati
• Prezzijiet gholjin wisq tal-proprjeta kummercjali
• Taxxi qawwija wisq ta' transferiment ta' proprjeta ghall-uzu ta' l-intraprizi
• Infieq qawwi fuq servizzi ta' medicina u servizzi ta' tobba
• Charges esagerati mis-servizzi professjonali bhall accountants u awdituri
• Charges u nfieq bla razan imposti mil-MEPA
• Charges esagerati mill-ADT
• Prattici restrittivi minn entitajiet bhal pixkerija u l-pitkalija li jwasslu ghal-prezzijiet gholjin
• Prattici restrittivi (restricitve practices) minn monopolji statali u privati bla ebda kontroll mill-ufficju tal-Kompetizzjoni Gusta
• Sistema ta' taxxi li tikkastiga lil min jahdem u jiproduci u tiffavurixxi lil min jwarrab, jispekola u jevadi

Id-Direttur Generali tal-GRTU widdeb fl-MCESD, u l-GRTU qed twiddeb pubblikament, illi jekk l-awtoritajiet mhux ser jistudjaw bis-serjeta', u jiehdu azzjoni f'waqta, biex inaqqsu bis-serjeta' l-infieq kbir li kull kummercjant irid jaghmel biex ikopru kollox mil-prezz li huwa jistabbilixxi ghal prodotti jew is-servizz tieghu, jkun inutli li inparlaw fuq it-trazzin ta' l-inflazzjoni. Studju tal-prezzijiet jiswa imma l-importanti hu kif jitnaqqsu l-ispejjez zejda li jikkawzaw iz-zidiet fil-prezzijiet.

  Il-GRTU titlob li jinhareg l-Avviz biex il-Hwienet jkunu jistghu jifthu fis-16,19 u l-21 ta' Marzu 2008

Dear Mr. Pizzuto,

Shops Opening on the 16^th, 19^th, 21^st March 2008

As you are aware with General Elections falling on March 8 and the
aftermath ending March 12, consumers have delayed their pre-Easter
shopping to the last week prior to Easter.

12^th March  2008

Mr. Marcel Pizzuto

Permanent Secretary                                                                    

Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications

Casa Leoni

St Joseph High Road

St Venera CMR 02

Dear Mr. Pizzuto,

Shops Opening on the 16^th, 19^th, 21^st March 2008

As you are aware with General Elections falling on March 8 and the aftermath ending March 12, consumers have delayed their pre-Easter shopping to the last week prior to Easter.

This in effect means that between Saturday 15^th March and Saturday 22^nd March there are only five effective shopping days during which all retail is permitted.

GRTU is therefore recommending that you issue notice that all shops and other retail establishments in all localities may open during normal shopping hours on Sunday 16^th March 2008, on Wednesday 19^th March 2008, and also on Friday 21^st March 2008 (Sunday hours apply). This will apply also to Pharmacies in all districts.

Given the particular circumstances and with the last week prior to Easter Sunday having two public holidays the request is more than reasonable.

Yours sincerely,

Vincent V Farrugia

Director General

GRTU expresses its complete solidarity with Dr. Harry Vassallo. Dr. Vassallo is a victim of a draconian law against which GRTU has been protesting since the introduction of VAT. It reflects an outdated mentality that anyone in business deserves to be treated badly. GRTU was satisfied that it's pressure to change the law was partially met when the law was amended in 2007 following pressure by GRTU on Government. The amendment to the law however was not sufficient to cover all cases that were in the fault under the law prior to it's amendment and in spite of GRTU pressure no action was taken to remedy the situation. Dr. Harry's Vassallo's case is one of many others that are victims of many legally imposed fines that continue to be treated as criminal rather than civil non-compliance.

Fines resulting from non-compliance, unless of a nature that endangers life, should remain civil and not criminal. Today there are many business owners who may receive the police call that Dr. Vassallo received. Every day that action of a draconian nature as suffered by Dr. Vassallo remains possible represents another day of shame for our country and an insult to the business community.

It is a shame also that so many pardons are given rather than introducing further amendments to the VAT law and other laws that impose fines that are impossible to meet and grossly unjust. It is also a shame that Government continues to apply a pardoning system that is selective, unjust and a travesty of justice when an amendment of the law is more efficient and appropriate.

GRTU appeals for the earliest introduction of all necessary amendments to the VAT act, the income tax act and other laws that impose unjust and cruel penalties on businesses. A country whose economy depends on the endeavors of private business investors should appreciate much stronger the commitment of the business community for the further development of our country.

 Talba tal-GRTU bil-Qorti ghall-kumpens lil tal-hwienet u negozji li qed ikunu sfurzati jitilfu gurnata xoghol nhar is-Sibt 8 ta' Marzu ghaliex l-hwienet taghhom jinsabu fiz-zona tal-Polling Stations.

Il-GRTU qed taghmel din it-talba wara li l-kummissjoni Elettorali naqset li tara li l-hwienet u n-negozji ma ssirilhomx din il-hsara.

Din hi hsara li s-sidien tal-hwienet qed ibaghtuha intortament u ghalhekk ghandhom ikunu kumpensati. L-GRTU tfakkar ukoll li l-hwienet, spizeriji u stabillimenti ohra li qed ikunu mitluba jibqghu maghluqa huma l-bicca l-kbira minnhom servizzi utili fil-kommunita u fi zminijiet tal-lum ma hemm l-ebda htiega li jibqghu maghluqa.

Fil-Prim' Awla tal-Qorti Civili

Il-Kamra Maltija ghan-Negozji Zghar u Medji (GRTU)

vs

Il-Kummissjonarju Elettorali Principali

Protest Gudizzjarju tal-Kamra Maltija ghan-Negozji Zghar u Medji (GRTU):

Tesponi bir-rispett:

1. Illi l-Kamra Maltija ghan-Negozji Zghar u Medji (GRTU), jew kif ahjar maghrufa bhala "GRTU", ilmentat mal-protestat kif jidher mill-kopji tal-korrispondenza annessa u immarkati Dok "G1" u "G2", illi s-sidien tal-hwienet kollha membri tal-protestanti li jinstabu fil-vicinanza ta' hamsin (50) metru minn post tal-votazzjoni sejrin jinzammu maghluqa fit-8 ta' Marzu ossija jum l-Elezzjoni Generali;

1. Illi din il-procedura tohrog mill-Artikolu 66 tal-Kap. 354 tal-Ligijiet ta' Malta li jipprovdi illi:

Matul il-hin stabbilit ghall-votazzjoni f'xi post tal-votazzjoni, hadd, hlief min ikun qed jistenna biex jivvota, ma jista' jitnikker f'distanza ta' hamsin metru minn dak il-post ta' votazzjoni; u hadd ma jista', f'dik id-distanza ta' hamsin metru, jaghmel propaganda politika b'kull mod ikun x'ikun. Kull kazin, hanut jew stabbiliment pubbliku iehor tul dik id-distanza ghandu jinzamm maghluq fil-jum tal-votazzjoni.

1. Illi l-protestanti f'isem il-hwienet milquta minn din id-dizpozizzjoni ilmentat mal-protestat illi din il-preventiva offruta mill-Ligi hija wahda arkajka li ma tirriflettix il-klima politiku kalm li jezisti f'pajjizna fi zmien l-Elezzjonijiet kemm tal-Kunsilli Lokali kif ukoll tal-Elezzjonijiet Generali llum il-gurnata;

1. Illi b'rizultat ta' din l-ordni, ghexieren ta' stabbilimenti kummercjali ma Malta u Ghawdex ser isofru dannu reali f'telf ta' qliegh f'gurnata shiha minghajr l-ebda raguni valida ghajr ghal din id-dispozizzjoni tal-Ligi;

1. Illi effettivament il-protestat gieli ha d-decizjoni illi waqt Elezzjonijiet tal-Kunsilli Lokali ma jenforzax dan l-Artikolu u ma jordnax illi l-hwienet li jinstabu f'distanza inqas minn hamsin (50) metru minn post tal-votazzjoni ghandhom jibqghu maghluqa;

1. Illi madanakollu l-protestat informa lill-protestanti bl-intenzjoni tieghu illi jzomm maghluq kull stabbiliment ikkoncernat fil-gurnata tas-Sibt 8 ta' Marzu 2008, kif jidher mill-ittra tieghu annessa u mmarkata Dok "G3";

1. Illi l-protestanti umilment tissottometti illi l-Ligi hija drakonjana fil-konfront ta' dawk il-hwienet li jaqghu f'din il-kategorija u certament m'humiex ser jaghmlu xi propaganda politika jew, kif jinghad fl-Artikolu 67 tal-Kap. 354 tal-Ligijiet ta' Malta, jintimidaw xi elettur, jew li jfixkluh milli jersaq lejn jew jitlaq minn post ta' votazzjoni, jew li jwasslu ghall-ksur tal-paci pubblika;

1. Illi fil-maggiorparti taghhom, il-hwienet milquta minn din il-provizjoni tal-Ligi huma hwienet tat-te jew cafe', confectionaries, stationeries u hwienet tal-gazzetti. Il-postijiet tal-votazzjoni huma fil-maggjoranza taghhom skejjel u postijiet ohra fic-centru tal-lokal partikolari, u ghalhekk il-hwienet li jinstabu fil-vicinanza ta' hamsin (50) metru hafna drabi jkunu joffru servizzi ta' bzonn kwotidjan, b'eccezzjoni ghall-kazini politici li m'humiex koperti mill-protestanti;

Ghaldaqstant il-protestanti, filwaqt illi ggib dana kollu ghall-formali konjizzjoni tal-protestat u filwaqt li tinterpellah sabiex jersaq bonarjament ghall-likwidazzjoni u l-hlas tad-danni reali sofferti mis-sidien tal-hwienet membri tal-protestanti li jinstabu f'distanza ta' anqas minn hamsin (50) metru mill-postijiet ta' votazzjoni u li ser jinzammu maghluqa tul il-gurnata tas-Sibt, 8 ta' Marzu 2008, tqieghed lill-protestat f'dolo, mora u colpa skond il-Ligi u zzomm lill-imsemmija protestat responsabbli ghad-danni kollha li jista' jigu sofruti fil-futur minhabba l-agir tieghu.

Bl-ispejjez u b' riserva ta' kull dritt ta' azzjoni spettanti lill-protestanti.

Jan-Karl Farrugia LL.D.                          

15/10, Vincenti Buildings,

Strait Street, Valletta

Protestanti:       Exchange Buildings, Republic Street, Valletta

Protestat:          Electoral Office, Evans Building, St. Elmo Place, Valletta.