Category: Archive – 2011

 Il-Gvern qed jaghmel Zball Kbir juza il-Pulizija kontra s-sidien tal-Hwienet biex jimponi ligi ingusta u zbaljata

Il-Gimgha il-Pulizija hargu fid-9 ta' fil-ghaxija jaghlqu il-confectioners f'San Gwann. Il-GRTU qed taghmilha cara li dan tqisu bhala abbuz ta' poter. Min hu inkarigat fil-Gvern biex jiddefendi in-negozji iz-zghar ta' pajjizna flok jaqdi dmiru u jizgura li dawn il-ksuhat jinqatghu qed jhalli  lil min jibbuljah biex tghaddi tieghu. L-GRTU mhux se toqghod ghal dan it-tip ta'  irrikkattar.

 

 Il-GRTU  issostni  li d-dritt tas-sid tal-hanut li jbiegh il-prodotti kollha li hu licenzjat li jbiegh u li ghalih hemm domanda mill-konsumatur m'ghandux jerga' jsir ghalqa ghal-pulizija kif kien fil-passat.  Il-Pulizija mhux xoghola iddejjaq lis-sidien tal-hwienet biex tindahal fejn ma jesahiex. Hawn bizzejjed problemi fil-pajjiz li jitolbu l-attenzjoni tal-pulizija u l-pulizija mhux posta tindahal fl-ghazliet legittmi tal-konsumatur. Min fassal din il-ligi fassalha bl-iskop car li jiffavorixxi grupp ta negozji u jikkastiga grupp ta' negozji ohra u hi ligi mfassla bi qrusa kontra il-komunita kollha tar-retailers b'multi esagerati  riflessjoni ta pregudizzju qawwi kontra ir-retailers.

 

Il-GRTU issostni li mhux ir-rwol tal-Gvern li juza l-ligi li tirregola il-licenzji biex jcaqlaq kif jaqbillu l-istruttura kompetittiva tas-suq. Il-GRTU taqbez ghas-setturi kollha ta' intraprizi zghar u tizgura li f'suq hieles hemm wisgha ghal kull min irid jikkompeti skond id-domanda  u toggezzjona bil-kbir meta il-gvern b'ligi jipprova jkeskes sidien ta' negozji kontra sidien ta' negozji ohra.   Il-GRTU mhux se tacetta li l-Gvern jilghab bil-ligi tal-licenzji u iktar u iktar bir-regim ta' multi esagerati u bit-theddid tat-tnehhija tal-licenzi biex tghaddi tieghu fejn m'ghandux ragun. U il-Gvern m'ghandux ragun li jwahhal fis-sidien tal-hwienet ghal dak li jaghmel il-konsumatur b'dak li jixtri minn ghandhom. Ir-responsabbilta tal-prodott wara li jinxtara, dment li hu prodott li jikkonforma mal-ligi hi tal-konsumatur intitolat li jixtri. Hu zball li l-gvern jdahhal II-Pulizija  f'relazzjonijiet kummercjali bhal dawn. Il-pulizija mhux postha tindahal f'relazzjonijiet kummercjali bejn bejjiegh u konsumatur. U mhiex skuza ghall-gvern li joqghod jistahba wara xi  klawsoli fil-ligi  kif kienet qabel ghax kull min hu vera intiz kien jaf li dawn il-klawsoli ta' restrizzjonijiet inutli  ta' f`liema hin konsumatur jista' jixtri  haga u mhux ohra mill-istess hanut kienu fir-rejalta mietu u  saru ‘dead letters'.  Ghax kulhadd jaf u dara li f'Malta hawn il-kumdita  li  tista' tinqeda mill-hwienet li jifthu tard biex jaqdu lil konsumaturi li ma jistghux jew mhux interessati jixtru f'hinijiet aktar kmieni u li  ma kien hemm l-ebda xkiel min hadd, zgur mhux mil-Pulizija,  li jixtru l-prodotti kollha li riedu jixtru bla ma joqghodu jharsu lejn l-arlogg jekk jistghux jixtru hobza jew flixkun f'certu hin. Min ivvinta din il-ligi zbalja bl-ikrah.

 

Il-GRTU issostni u dan fuq pariri ta' esperti li vera jifhmu f'dan il-qasam li jekk hemm problema Paceville u f'xi bnadi ohra il-problema hi wahda ta' "behaviour" u ghandha tkun indirizzata b'surveillance ahjar u moderna u bi gwardjani li jghassu u jiehdu passi kontra min jabbuza. Li tghalaq il-hwienet f'Malta kollha jew li tindahlilhom xi jbieghu wara certu hin anke jekk f'certi zoni mhux se ssolvi xejn ghax min irid jixtri jsib minn fejn jixtri u li taghlaq f'certu hin lanqas ma ssolvi l-problema ghax min irid jixtri, jixtri qabel u jiehu li jixtri fejn irid. Jew issa il-pulizija se tibda  tfittex fil-baskijiet tan-nies huma u hergin mill-hwienet u tfittex fuq il-persuna?

 

Din ligi li titfa l-arlogg lura. Matul dawn l-ahhar snin il-GRTU irnexxiela bil-galbu u bi ftehim, allavolja taht hafna kritika, tibdel fuq medda ta' snin ir-regolamenti dwar il-hinijiet tax- shoping biex issa prattikament ghandna suq liberu ghall-bzonnijiet ta' kuljum fejn il-konsumatur jinqeda kuljum filwaqt li zammet minimu ta' salvagwarda ghas-serhan tas-sidien u tal-impjegati u wkoll tal-karatteristici tradizzjonali Maltin. Il-GRTU taccetta u kien jidher sa ma giet imposta din il-ligi li hekk jemmen il-Gvern wkoll li  il-futur jiddetta li is-sid tal-hanut jrid jaghmel l-ghazliet tieghu fejn jinvesti u kif jahdem u il-konsumatur ikollu l-ghazla minn fejn jixtri, minghand min jixtri, fi x'hin jixtri u kif jikonsma  prodotti ta' htiega u ta' konsum  u il-Gvern jaghmel zbal kbir jekk jinhela jilghab bil-ligijiet ta' pajjizna biex jindahal f'dawn  l-ghazliet.  U iktar u iktar li juza il-Puliza u l-Qrati taghna biex jimponi ligijiet stupidi u multi ingusti kontra min jahdem biex jaqla' hobzu.

 

The photovoltaic scheme is a very important scheme. Because of this scheme a year ago the GRTU was complaining heavily with the Prime Minister as the scheme was suddenly brought to a halt leaving the operators stranded, unable to accept applications and process what they already had confirmed. They had orders coming in and employees ready to start installing but all this had to be kept on hold until the scheme was after a long wait once again issued. The operators in the sector depend very much on these schemes as if there is an incentive the buyers will understandably wait for it.

 

This scheme is so important that during a meeting held with the PPCD and the MRA GRTU President Paul Abela and Council member Noel Gauci in representation of the sector asked for a bigger financial commitment and Ms Marlene Bonnici, then Director General at the PPCD, awarded an extra 4 million Euros in addition to what was already earmarked for the scheme. GRTU takes this opportunity to congratulate Ms Marlene Bonnici for her new appointment. If there is one appointment the GRTU feels if worth commending, it is certainly this one.

Unfortunately, the operators today find themselves once again at a stand-still. The GRTU has been months in discussions with the Malta Resources Authority and has now also included also the Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs. We have been pressing for over a month with the Malta Resources Authority (MRRA) in an attempt to learn the date of the launch of the scheme which offers incentives when purchasing Photovoltaic systems.

The GRTU has been repeatedly emphasising how essential it is for the scheme to be launched imminently and before the start of the tradefair. The MRA have told the GRTU that the scheme is ready for launch and that the MRA is awaiting for the MRRA to choose a date. Weeks have now passed since this communication and the situation has not changed. Businesses make an investment when they enroll in the tradefair and those who do not participate create equally interesting incentives to draw customers. It is a common effort as tradefair is the time for which customers wait to start looking at electronics and other items for their home. There is no better time to launch such a scheme.

The GRTU has asked if there are pending issues that still need to be settled but there seems to be none other than choosing the date from the side of the Ministry. GRTU is disappointed that the launch is being postponed on such a petty issue. The GRTU expects the Ministry and the MRA to take immediate action. If there are pending issues it should come clean on what still needs to be done and if not just chose a date.

Quoting from the Commission's Council recommendations on the National Reform Programme 2011 of Malta: "Strengthen efforts to reduce Malta's dependence on imported oil, by bringing forward investments in renewable energies and making full use of available EU funds to upgrade infrastructure and promote energy efficiency".

GRTU has during this week been very vociferous on the issue of Bisazza Street. We have written to all the stakeholders concerned and we re-emphasise that it is not an issue of whether Bisazza Street is to be left car free or not, as this decision had already been taken and widely welcomed, but it is an issue that requires a good managerial solution for Arriva. It is not acceptable that the solution chosen takes away something from the retailing community or the consumer. Only Government and Arriva have to give and take, no other stakeholder should be affected. Stakeholders must only be involved to help with finding the solution.

 

We fail to realise what the Pedestrianisation of Bisazza Street meant to the retailing Community of the area and the consumers. The pedestrianisation process created inconveniences and discomfort, which the retailing community and the consumers were happy to carry to achieve the much desired pedestrianisation. We sometimes also fail to realise for how long this has been on the table and when finally pedestrianisation has been achieved we immediately threaten to take it away. This issue has absolutely nothing to do with the developments by Midi at Tigne. GRTU has always been at the fore front to encourage further planned and structured investment in the whole of the Sliema area. GRTU had always stated it is staunchly in favour of the new Public Transport system even though we will continue to seek improvements as thing progress. We also have full trust in the professional ability of Arriva to deliver on its commitments and to do this with great social corporate responsibility. This is why in a letter addressed to the Arriva Managing Director, Mr Bostow, GRTU expressed its disappointment in the way the Bisazza situation was handled and more so in the way the news was delivered. Such an important issue required mature discussion and not a rash public statement.

Not discussing with GRTU as the recognised civil society representative of the retailing and service providing community has led to a patchwork solution to the detriment of only the retailing community and the consumers. Problems immediately prop up when discussions stop being transparent and start being carried out behind closed doors. Stakeholders directly involved must be included without questions. GRTU re-emphasises it is available to discuss at any time and urges the authorities to take the issue back to the negotiation table with the involvement of all stakeholders as public litigation is not exactly the best way to achieve effective and early results.

It is inconceivable that GRTU now learns from the media that 479 busses were planned to drive up Bisazza Street every day. This figure has never been mentioned before  in any consultation meeting. This is now a feature of this Government. They do consult but never is the whole truth available.

GRTU stays confident and insists that with greater endeavour a solution can be found that will not, even for one day, disturb the Pedestrian Zone. As previously stated GRTU sees no wrong if the solution requires further expenditure as long as it is sustainable but insists that this expense of public funds goes for improvements and embellishment for the benefit of both the investing private community and the consumer, on whose support the whole project depends.

This is one other Authority heavily biased against  retailers, traders and enterprise in general.The law is replaced with action against business. It is all based on a wrong attitude to business and based on statistical facts that are completely wrong.

 

The number of cases reported to all consumer centres in Malta whether private, Malta Government or European Union paid is infinitesimal compared to the total value of transactions that go on throughout the years. If we were to take the total figure of private consumption in Malta, divide it by the number of days in which retailing and trading is going and divide again by the total number of hours all shops and service providers are open and assume an average value of a transaction, one would find that the total number of reported cases in Malta and Gozo do not even equal the number of transactions that go on in one single minute, let alone in a whole year.

Even if they accounted for all transactions in a day, the cost for our taxes of all the fuss being made by the whole operate under Dr Chris Said is superfluous. We are not saying that consumer education, standards, competition rules and enforcement is not necessary, but what Government is doing is excessive. But of course for Governments, unlike private business, money is no problem, what they fail to understand is that enterprise creates the jobs. It's enterprise that creates the wealth. It's enterprise that makes it possible for people and businesses to pay the taxes that keep politicians and bureaucrats in state employment in a job that pays.

But Government is now losing the whole act. They do a lot of excellent work but their attitude to business and enterprise gets worse by every act. This Act of Parliament is anti-business, it is one other exposure of Government that has lost its enterprise driven  consciousness. Its regulation-driven system getting worse by the day. 

How can MCEST help you?  Today, there is a greater demand for higher-quality, cheap and eco-friendly products and stringent environmental regulations. Not to mention, competition. In order to remain in the game, you would need to dedicate a substantial amount of costs and human resources to researching, developing, managing, demonstrating a product that would, if successful, single you from the rest. Is your company undergoing such pressure?

 

 No matter where you're coming from, be it manufacturing, IT, health and safety etc. there exist European funds to be tapped into to help improve your competitiveness.

The Opportunity: These costs can be funded. Whether you're a micro, medium or large enterprise, the EU is there to help. Recognizing problems within Industry, the EU has developed a Framework Programme (FP7) with a €50.5 billion budget. These funds can be tapped by you (SMEs, companies, scientists, researchers and other individuals) as the initiative of this programme is to promote product development in all stages through networking opportunities with experts both locally and internationally. The benefits are huge: not only do you get to form partnerships with experts who have the skills and knowledge your company might be lacking due to / requires to overcome limitations, you get to fund your R&D. In short, you get to explore new boundaries.

What areas / topics are included in the programme? Several areas such as ICT, energy, environment, nanotechnology etc. are covered and there are even schemes directly tailored for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as these form the core of European industry and are key players within the innovation system. It is broad enough to ensure that everyone's interests are covered.

Are Maltese entities able to compete in research related projects? We have several success stories (in the first 3 years of this framework programme over 80 Maltese organisations have received more than €8 million in research funding. Example of success story.

So how can YOU participate? The Malta Council for Science & Technology (MCST) offers free advice and assistance to organisations and individuals to tap into these funds.

How can we help you? MCST is the National Contact Point for information and free tailored consultation to address your needs and requirements. We offer one-to-one meetings to ensure that you tap into the right funding scheme that gives you the maximum benefits.

Want to know more? Contact the FP7 Unit at the Malta Council for Science & Technology:

Anthea Fabri-FP7 National Coordinator

Malta Council for Science and Technology, Villa Bighi, Kalkara, KKR 1320, Malta

Telephone:  +356 2360 2141  Fax:      +356 2166 0341

E-mail:             

A Scoreboard has been published by the European Commission showing the performance of the EU and Member States in delivering on the agreed targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe after the first year of its existence. In line with its commitment to an open data strategy the European Commission has made its data sets and statistics in the Scoreboard publicly available online enabling anyone to carry out their own analysis and come to their own conclusions.

 

Overall progress over the first year of the Digital Agenda has been good, especially on the use of Internet (65% of EU population). But progress in some areas is disappointing, in particular roll-out of new super fast Broadband networks, which is one of the key Digital Agenda goals, even if there is some progress in upgrading existing cable and copper networks.

The Digital Agenda committed the EU to carry out 101 specific actions (78 for the Commission, of which 31 are legal proposals, and 23 for Member States) which will together boost investment in, and use of, digital technologies. Overall, 11 DAE actions have been completed, 6 actions due in 2010 are delayed and the remaining actions are largely on track.

The Scoreboard shows good progress in:

Regular Internet use. This has risen rapidly to 65% of the EU population (target 75% by 2015). Disadvantaged groups like the less well-educated and the elderly are also using the Internet more, up from 42% to 48%. This brings within reach of the 2015 goal of 60%.Non-users have fallen from 30% to 26% of the population.

Online shopping. 40% of EU citizens now shop online, including 57% of all Internet users. More than half of the population in 8 EU countries buys online.

eGovernment: 41% of citizens use eGovernment services, half of whom have return completed forms online. The eGovernment Action Plan (should help realise the 2015 target of use of eGovernment services by 50 % of citizens and 80% of businesses.

Promotion of low energy lighting: Solid State Lighting increased its market share to 6.2% in 2010 (up from 1.7% in 2009), making good progress to reducing the energy use of lighting by 20% by 2020.

Mixed progress in:

Broadband availability and take up: Basic broadband is increasingly available even in remote areas. However, deployment and uptake of very high-speed broadband is currently concentrated in only a few (mostly urban) areas. The Commission is working with Member States to implement the strategy to give every European access to basic broadband by 2013 and fast and ultra fast broadband by 2020.

Insufficient progress in:

Cross-border eCommerce: barely growing, from 8.1-8.8% in 2010. The Digital Agenda target is 20% of citizens shopping online across borders by 2015. The Commission intends to address this and other barriers to the development of the Digital Single Market in a forthcoming Communication on the eCommerce Directive

Online presence of Small and Medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): 26% of  SMEs purchase online, a rising share, but only 13% of SMEs sell online, (up 2 points on last year)

Roaming prices: they fell by 1.5 € cents in 2010, but are still more than three times as expensive as domestic calls. The Digital Agenda's aim is for thedifference between national and roamed calls within the EU to approach zero by 2015.

Public investment in ICT R&D: expenditure by public authorities did not exceed the € 5.7 billion baseline of the previous year. A 6% annual growth will be needed to reach the target of doubling to € 11 billion by 2020.

Is the Commission on target?

Overall, progress on implementing the 101 Digital Agenda actions has been quite good. Almost 10% of the actions have been completed, 80% are on track and the remaining 10% are delayed.

 

Digital Agenda: New telecoms rules benefit citizens and businesses across Europe

 

By 25th May 2011, Europeans will enjoy new rights and services regarding phones, mobile and Internet. New EU telecoms rules to ensure a more competitive telecoms sector and better services for customers are due to be implemented in national law by this date.

They include the right for customers to switch telecoms operators in just one day without changing their phone number, the right to more clarity about the services customers are offered and better protection of personal data online. The Commission has worked closely with Member States to seek swift implementation of these EU rules and will consider launching infringement proceedings against Member States which have not implemented them in time. Reinforcing the Single Market for telecoms services is a key objective of the Digital Agenda for Europe.

As of 25th May, the new EU rules give citizens and businesses:

Higher levels of consumer protection and more choice:

the ability to switch fixed or mobile phone operator without changing phone number within one working day

a maximum length of 24 months for customer's initial sign-on contracts and an obligation on operators to offer 12 month contracts. This will allow customers to switch more easily to a different operator if they find a better deal

clearer information on services to which a customer is subscribed. Consumer contracts must give information about minimum service quality levels. In particular, internet subscribers must be given information about traffic management techniques and their impact on service quality, as well as any other limitations (such as bandwidth caps, available connection speed or the blocking or 'throttling' of access to certain services such as Voice Over Internet Protocol). Contracts also must give details of compensation and refunds available if these minimum levels are not met (see IP/11/486 and MEMO/11/319).

Improved online privacy and safety:

better protection against personal data breaches and "spam" (unsolicited e-mails), mandatory notifications for personal data breaches

better information and consent requirements for storing or accessing information in users' devices (such as 'cookies' not related to the service currently accessed (see MEMO/11/320)

More consistent regulation across the EU:

national regulators will gain greater independence and will have powers, as a last resort, to oblige telecoms operators with significant market power to separate their communication networks from their service branches to ensure non-discriminatory access for other operators (without necessarily separating ownership or obliging the creation of a separate company).

the Commission, in cooperation with the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC), has also been granted extra powers of oversight on the competition remedies for the telecoms markets (the so-called "Article 7 procedure"). In practice, should the Commission consider that a draft competition remedy notified by a national regulator would create a barrier to the Single Market for telecoms services, the Commission can proceed to an in-depth assessment and, in consultation with BEREC, can issue a recommendation to the national regulator to amend or withdraw its planned remedy. National regulatory authorities must take utmost account of such recommendations (see MEMO/11/321).

Other new elements in the package include better access to emergency services including 112, Europe's single emergency number.

The Commission's Recommendation indicating to national telecoms regulators how they should regulate third-party competitive access to ultra-fast fibre networks (also known as 'next generation access' – NGA – networks) (see MEMO/10/424) was introduced recently on the basis of new elements in the updated telecoms rules.

The Commission is closely following the implementation of the new telecoms rules by Member States and will use its full powers, recently enhanced by the Lisbon Treaty, to ensure full and timely implementation of the EU's updated telecoms rules in national law. To help Member States implement the new telecoms rules, the Commission has produced guidelines on various issues, such as cookies and universal service.

Background

The revised EU rules on telecoms networks and services were formally adopted by the European Parliament and Council in late 2009 (MEMO/09/491). The Parliament and Council agreed that the rules must be implemented into the national laws of the 27 Member States by 25th May 2011.

The two Directives that enter into force on 25th May 2011, the Better Regulation Directive and the Citizens' Rights Directive, amend five different existing EU Directives (Framework Directive, Access Directive, Authorisation Directive, Universal Service Directive and the e-Privacy Directive). A new Regulation setting up the European Body of Telecoms Regulators (BEREC) was also adopted. BEREC was officially established in Riga in May 2010 (IP/10/641).

Digital Agenda website:

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/digital-agenda/index_en.htm

Interested parties are invited to submit their application to form part of the Trade and Investment Promotion Delegation to the cities of Dusseldorf and Berlin between the 12 and 15 September 2011. 

 

With a population of circa 81 million, Germany has the largest population of any European member state. With 231 inhabitants per square kilometre, Germany is also one of the most densely populated countries in Europe.

Germany is Europe's largest economy and the fifth largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power parity. But even though, the economy is characterised by its small to medium sized enterprises which most of them are family owned and have been passed from one generation to the next. During 2009, the country experienced some turbulence as global demand tumbled, but since then the economy has turned to growth. In fact, GDP growth for 2010 was 3.3% and it is estimated that during 2011 the country will register a growth of 2%. 

Promising areas of investment, trade and technology commercialisation with Germany include:

Pharmaceutical & Healthcare; ICT; Aviation Industry; Environment & Renewable Energy; Education & Training; Food & Beverages; Travel & Tourism 

Should you need additional information please feel free to contact Abigail Mamo on . Closing date for applications is Friday 17 June 2011.

Interested parties are invited to form part of a multi-sectoral Trade and Investment Promotion Delegation to the cities of Sydney and Melbourne between the 28^th October and the 6^th November 2011. 

 

Australia is the world's 14^th largest economy with a per capita GDP level with the four richest European countries. The country's economic growth averaged 3.4% for the past 10 years and is predicted to grow at around 4% for the next two years. Its proximity to the world's fastest growing region, the Asia Pacific, will greatly assist companies looking to expand into this region.

Promising areas of investment, trade and technology commercialisation with Australia include:

Science & Innovation; Oil & Gas; ICT; Professional Services; Financial Services; Environment & Renewable Energy; Education & Training; Food & Beverages; Travel & Tourism

Should you need additional information please feel free to contact Abigail Mamo on . Closing date for applications is Friday 17 June 2011.

The harmonised standards dealing with City and Trekking Bicycles, Mountain-Bicycles, Racing Bicycles and Luggage carriers for bicycles will be revised and the new standards will be drafted so as to meet the requirements set out in the Commission Decision.

 

European standard EN 14765:2005+A1:2008 specifies safety requirements and test methods for bicycles for young children, which are excluded from the scope of the Toys Safety Directive (2009/48/EU). A mandate will be produced following the publication of the attached Commission Decision so as to be able to publish the reference to this standard in the Official Journal of the European Union.

As soon as the revised standards are published in the Official Journal of the European Union, bicycles placed on the European market and which are in compliance with these standards will be presumed to be safe. The current safety requirements can therefore be considered as the basis for the standards which will be drafted and which will replace the current harmonised standards.

Should you require further information or clarifications, do not hesitate to contact Thomas Consoli – Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority T: 23952225

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