Category: Archive – 2013

EFSA has set average requirements (ARs) for energy intake for adults, infants and children, and pregnant and breastfeeding women. The ARs provide a best estimate of the energy needs of population groups within Europe and will help policymakers to develop and monitor nutrition programmes to promote public health including the establishment of food-based dietary guidelines.

The average energy requirements of the specified age and sex groups were calculated to take account of different levels of physical activity, and are based on an assumed healthy body mass index of 22kg/m². For example, the Panel has set the following ARs, based on a moderately active lifestyle:

The ARs take account of physical activity levels (PALs) that correspond to different lifestyles (sedentary, moderately active, very active, and highly active). Full report can be found at: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/3005.htm

GRTU Renewable Energy Section President Noel Gauci has today written to the Contracts Department following several complaints by our members in the Renewable Energy Sector regarding a condition in the tender issued by the contracts department bearing reference CT211 2012(CT3099 2012), GRTU formally requested that the temperature range required in the second paragraph of page 54, whereby it is specified that the panel should be able to withstand repetitive cycling between -40 and + 90 degrees Celsius, should be revised to -40 and +85 degrees Celsius.

This in view of the fact that most panels, branded and non-branded, are specified to withstand repetitive cycling in the suggested range. In fact GRTU carried out a research on at least 14 brands/suppliers, and all resulted within the -40 +85 degrees Celsius range except one. Due to this fact we believe that our members' complaints are justified. GRTU also spoke with various academics in the sector and all declared that the 5 degree difference above that usually requested is un-necessary and makes no difference in the performance of the PV panels. GRTU feels this condition is creating an uneven playing field and a situation that limits competition since it excludes most suppliers from the possibility of participating because they would not be compliant to the present requested specifications.

GRTU also requested the Department to extend the closing date of the tender by 30 days from revision of the temperature parameter to give tenderers adequate time to participate.

Notice to packaging waste producers who are not registered with MEPA – Green Mt advises all producers (importers) of packaging waste that have as yet not registered with MEPA, that they are in breach of Legal Notice 277 of 2006, Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations.

Importers of goods to Malta are to make sure that they have a Waste Management Permit No, WMP or an EPR (Environmental Permit Registration No) issued by MEPA. Beyond this registration they are to note that if they specifically sell to the end consumer even through a retailer, then they are obliged to be registered and pay financially to an Authorized Waste Packaging Scheme.

Heavy penalties are in place for those who have as yet not complied to the legislation. All producers of packaging waste are to note that a penalty of Euro 100 per ton of market placement is in place as of 1^st January 2010. In addition administrative penalties are in place going back to 2006. Any producer who is caught not complying to this Environmental Legislation will be penalized accordingly.

Green Mt urges all importers to comply with the requirements of the legislation.

Any further information is to be obtained by phoning Green Mt on 21232881/3 or Mobile 79002263.

MAKE SURE YOU COMPLY TO YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL

In exercise of the powers conferred by article 4 of the Employment and Industrial Relations Act, the Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family, on the recommendation of the Employment Relations Board, has made the following order:-

1. The title of this Order is the Wage Increase (Employees)

National Standard Order, 2012, and this Order shall come into effect on the 1st January, 2013.

2. (1) The wages of whole-time employees shall be increased by € 4.08 per week.

(2) The hourly rate of part-time employees shall be increased by the same amount as the increase in the hourly rate of a comparable full-time employee, calculated after including the weekly increase in sub-article (1), or in cases where there is no comparable category of whole-time employees at the workplace, by the hourly rate of a comparable whole-time employee in an applicable Wage Regulation Order, or in the absence of an applicable Wage Regulation Order, by one-fortieth of the rate of increase specified in sub-article (1).

GRTU President Paul Abela, Director General Vincent Farrugia and Executive Abigail Mamo have this week met the Government officials that head the Departments that are set for merger: Inland Revenue, VAT, Customs and Tax Compliance. This following communication in December 2012 by which GRTU was informed of the planned merger and to initiate a consultation process.

In its initial reaction GRTU emphasized that these departments are very important civil service departments that perform very important functions because these decisions have a real effect on entrepreneurship and enterprise. GRTU's initial reactions were targeted at outlining very important organizational arrangements required for Government to achieve its tax objectives within this merger, while giving an efficient service.

GRTU is convinced that by removing departmental barriers and focusing on the customer, the departments can make a step in performance and efficiency. GRTU feels that the merge is a positive move as long as it is done in the right way. It must also not be an aggressive human resource cutting exercise that will leave the joint department with insufficient resources leading to poor service and a poor tax collection track record. Human resources must be shifted to better customer care and specific focus on hand-holding and one-to-one care. Focusing much more in terms of what the taxpayer needs, and being able to deliver for the Government a more user-friendly interface in extracting the money from the taxpayer. Focus on helping taxpayers comply with the complexities of the tax system. Tax simplification must be at the heart of this change. What we need is a sea change in the view and the attitudes that taxpayers encounter within such departments.

GRTU requested that this exercise should result in a one-stop-shop that would help taxpayers and businesses and better coordination especially in inspections and visits. The Joint Department should cater for a specific desk/ department for Micro Enterprises and self-employed.

Small businesses and Individuals who try to comply with the system who are not tax evaders, who are not fraudulent, who make genuine mistakes, need to be helped rather than penalized. There needs to be a culture change of Revenue Departments that are more willing discuss, giving it a human face, with a structure of training that is recognized, well thought through and balanced. The joint department should not only remain focused on castigating evaders but also of being very supportive with the taxpayer that is genuinely trying to be compliant. Businesses cannot be treated as potential tax evaders. The approach should be "we're in this together, lets cooperate". There is no question on the amount of tax to be paid, the right amount of tax must be paid but there are different ways of getting people on your side.                          To ensure the greatest possible transparency and performance the new joint department should benefit from a new accountability framework. Committee to keep an eye on the merger (watch dog). The Committee would meet on a regular basis and be presented with reports, similar to the system that used to be carried out when the business first was set up.

GRTU was assured that we share the same ideas and these are the basis for the reform. GRTU requested that in future meetings, which should also involve the company users, the heads should explain how current difficulties and shortcomings will improve, how the customer will be better served and how solving problems will become easier and not more bureaucratic. GRTU emphasized that all prior mergers were successful only in making the life of the public servants easier and not in real improved customer care. GRTU warned that structures following mergers have the tendency of becoming more complex and powers more centralized and more difficult to reach. GRTU told the officials that for instance we work well with Customs where even though it's not always rosy it's easy to access the person you need, sit down and find a solution. This unlike the customer care system of the VAT Department where it has only added to bureaucracy and difficulty even to get basic help.

When asked about the problems the GRTU hears about from members and encounters in order to have them addressed by the merger GRTU mentioned that members are sometimes investigated for no apparent reason and the Department keeps asking them for papers for months which amounts to a ridiculous amount of time and cost not only for the member but also for the department. GRTU emphasized that evaders must be investigated but investigations for genuine mistakes and investigations for no reason but a simple sampling exercise have to be sensitized. GRTU also mentioned how difficult it is to get to the right person at the VAT Department, how long it takes for someone to answer the line and when finally a customer care representative answers they simply ask you to send an email and you have to wait for an answer. GRTU however told the representatives that they have to start giving a face to their departments and meeting people and even hold meetings on this merger in order to feel what the users are feeling. The representatives appreciated that this would be a good idea.   

GRTU also emphasized that from experience we feel that an intensive amount of training is required and that a significant investment is required in this regard as the Department is made up of people and it is these people we depend on to execute well.

Green MT's School Recycling Campaign, ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' went across to Gozo earlier this week and set up events in Primary schools in Ghajnsielem, Nadur, Xewkija, Xaghra and Qala. Green MT's event also travelled to the Rabat Boys and Girls Secondary Schools.

During the event, Green MT's now resident singer and artist Kristina Casolani entertained those present by rendering a presentation of the Campaign Song, ‘Reduce Reuse Recycle'. The students sang along after being provided with the lyrics distributed to each one present. The event included an interesting talk by Green MT's Eco Councillor Romina Schembri who outlined the importance of separating and finally recycling waste. Romina insisted with the students that neither Malta nor Gozo have enough space for an additional engineered landfill and as such, we all have to contribute our part. The event continued with one of the Zoo characters, asking students questions and providing gifts to those answering correctly.

All in all the whole team then danced to the music remix of ‘Reduce Reuse Recycle'.  The students enjoyed every minute of it. Green MT is glad to note that the event in Gozo has already spiced the School Recycling Campaign coming up in March and April. In the beehive, we are aware that a good number of students are already separating waste for this competition! Green Mt would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms Marvic Refalo for her continued support towards such an initiative.

Green Mt returns with a bang to Gozo Schools on 28th February and 1st March…so remember…Reduce Reuse Recycle!

Id-dawra tal-Katidral ta' San Gwann u x-Shopping Centre fi Pjazza Helsien – Din il-gimgha d-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia tkellem f'zewg laqghat separati mas-Sur Edgar Galea Curmi, Kap tas-Segretarjat OPM, mall-Onorevoli  Jason Azzopardi, Ministru ghall-Artijiet u mall-Prim Ministru Dr Lawrence Gonzi dwar l-Valletta Shopping Centre u l-hwienet mad-dawra tal-Katidral.

Il-Valletta Shopping Centre – Outside City Gate

Il-punt l-aktar importanti li semmew r-rapprezentanti tal-Gvern hu li dan l-kumpless irid nefqa kbira biex ikun rinovat u mgholli fuq l-istess livell ta' disinn mall-progett ta' Renzo Piano.  S'issa l-fondi ghadhom ma nstabux.

Il-Gvern qed isostni li mhux possibli li jaghti l-istess forma ta' kuntratt u kundizzjonijiet li ta lill-inkwilini l-ohra li ghandhom hanut fit-toroq tal-Belt. Il-Gvern qed isostni ukoll li ser ikun hemm htiega ta' caqliq ta' inkwilini u ghalhekk il-gvern ma jridx jintrabat meta l-Gvern ghadu ma jafx x'inhuma dawn il-pjanijiet. Il-Gvern ukoll qed jargumenta li kien hemm posizzjonijiet differenti min naha tal-inkwilini u l-Gvern hass li dawn l-posizzjonijiet huma aktar favur l-istatus quo milli jkun hemm progett li jgholli bil-kbir il-livell ta' dan x-Shopping Centre ewlieni fid-dahla tal-Belt Valleta u f'zona ta' fejn qed isir investiment kbir biex jgholli l-livell tal-Belt.

Il-GRTU ghandha l-approvazzjoni tal-inkwilini biex tidher f'isimhom u maghhom biex tinstab soluzzjoni ta' din il-problema. Id-Direttur Generali argumenta li l-GRTU hi favur li jkun hemm investiment qawwi f'dan l-kumpless u s-sidien u l-inkwilini li jaccettaw, fuq kundizzjoni  ta' kera fuq terminu twil jkunu lesti jikkunsidraw rati ta' kera li jghamlu aktar sens pero, l-investiment li qed jgawdu l-inkwilini l-ohra li ghandhom hwienet proprjeta tal-gvern u li jaghtu fuq t-toroq ewlenin tal-Gvern bhal ma huma refurbishments, pavimentar, street furniture u embellishment iehor fejn is-sidien ma jhallsux ghal dan ix-xoghol ta' infrastruttura, hekk ukoll l-inkwilini m'ghandhomx jigu mgeghla jhallsu ghal xoghol ta' infrasstruttura u embellishment  jekk mhux embellishment li ghandu x'jaqsam mall-faccata u mall-footprint ta' kull hanut.

Il-GRTU issostni li s-sidien tal-hwienet ser jkunu obbligati li jwaqqfu Tenants Association biex jkunu konformi mall-ligi tal-condominium u jidhlu ghar-responsabilta li jiehdu hsieb tindif, maintenance u s-sigurta tal-kumpless kollu.

Il-GRTU ssostni li l-Gvern diga ghamel zewg atti ta' diskriminazzjoni;  l-ewwelnett ghax il-kundizzjonijiet li diga ta' lis-sidien tal-Belt ma tahomx lis-sidien tal-kumpless. It-tieni ghax ma inkwilini partikolari l-Gvern ghamel kundizzjonijiet ta' cens ta' 65 sena.

Il-GRTU ssostni li bhala principju fundamentali l-gvern ghandu l-ewwel jorbot mall-inkwilini kummercjali mbghad kull progett li se jinhadem fid-dawl tal-ftehim gust li jkun ntlahaq ma' dawn is-sidien ta' intraprizi bazi ta' ftehim. Il-kundizzjonijiet tal-kera jintuzaw ukoll  f'kull kaz li jinqala' caqliq jew eghluq f'negozju. Il-GRTU toggezzjona li l-ewwel jitfassal il-progett imbghad l-interess tal-inkwilin.

Is-Sur Edgar Galea Curmi u l-Ministru Jason Azzopardi ser jiltaqghu biex jiddiskutu l-posizzjoni tal-GRTU biex jaqblu fuq posizzjoni li tista` tigi pprezentata lill-GRTU u li tkun bazi ta' diskussjonijiet godda.

Hwienet madwar l-Katidral ta' San Gwann

Id-Direttur Generali uza l-istess argument li uza ghall-inkwilini tax-Shopping Complex u addatthom ukoll ghall-hienet tad-dawra tal-Katidral.

Il-posizzjoni tal-Gvern hija li ghall-hwienet li qeghdin fi triq Santa Lucija ser jmexxi bhal ma mexa ma' l-ohrajn  ghax l-Gvern irid izomm karatru li ghandha dik l-parti tat-triq. Bhax-Shopping Complex il-Gvern ma jridx jintrabat mall-inkwilini qabel ma jiddeciedi dwar il-progett li jrid iwettaq mad-dawra kollha ta' San Gwann u l-progett ghall spazju adekwat ghall-esebizzjoini tat-tezori.

Il-GRTU qed targumenta li precizament ghax hemm ippjanat investiment kbir li ma tridx li dawk l-inkwilini li ilhom iservu din iz-zona snin twal jinqalaw il-barra jew li jinghataw kundizzjonijiet li ghalihom ikunu impossiibbli, wara li jsir l-investiment.

Il-GRTU trid li l-ftehim mall-inkwilini isir min qabel biex jkunu xi jkunu ic-cirkustanzi jkunu mharrsa. L-ebda kelliema min naha tal-Gvern ma jrid b'xi mod jintrabat mall-posizzjoni tal-GRTU ghal dawn l-inkwilini.

GRTU Director
General and EESC Employers Representative Vincent Farrugia has this week
participated at the EESC Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information
society section meeting during which addressed the problems faced by Energy
Islands in Europe, particularly due to their insularity issues, making
reference to a very important EESC opinion on the issue.

Energy insularity
places the affected countries and regions in Europe at an economic, as well as
social and environmental disadvantage since they are often heavily dependent on
fossil fuels. It leads to significant price discrepancies, which contribute to
creating disparities in terms of solidarity and uniform development across
European regions.

Energy insularity
covers a range of varying circumstances, but which have virtually identical
consequences irrespective of the situation. Insularity can result in:

increased supply insecurity;

price variations, often with an upward trend, and
dependent industrial and trade activities;

more significant energy poverty for people in these
States or regions;

a negative impact on their economic competitiveness;

increased environmental pressure;

Instability in political and economic relations
between the EU and third countries.

Furthermore Demand
for energy is high and rising in energy islands. Given this situation, the
consequence of a potentially less reliable and significantly more expensive
supply is undermining the economic competitiveness of energy islands.
Similarly, high energy bills put significant pressure on household budgets.

The consequences
of energy insularity should be better assessed in terms of the growth,
competitiveness, and sustainable development of the affected regions as well as
in terms of solidarity, cohesion and "lost revenues" for the rest of
the EU due to the absence of a complete and functional energy market throughout
the EU.

Mr Farrugia
appealed to the Commission to give priority to the EESC Plenary Conclusions
that energy islands represent a cost for all. This cost must be evaluated and
the solutions for reducing it must be incorporated in a comprehensive approach.
The European energy policy has to be completed and granted appropriate means of
action, commensurate with both the Member States' level of interdependence and
the difficulties they encounter.  Within
this context Malta should be placed high up in the priority listing of energy
islands hit hardest by the energy insularity.

UEAPME position paper on REACH regulation review – UEAPME
published a position paper on the REACH (Registration, Evaluation and
Authorisation of Chemicals) regulation review. So far, it is confirmed that
SMEs are the losers of the REACH implementation as they encounter a burden five
times superior than that of others.

UEAPME responds to the Green Entrepreneurship Action Plan

UEAPME
commented on the Green Entrepreneurship Action Plan drafted by DG Enterprise.
The aim of the Commission's communication will be to provide a framework to
help SMEs become greener and more sustainable; a request for input was
therefore sent to UEAPME to respond on specific issues dealt within this action
plan. The paper, representing our reply to these questions, is the is the
result of work by an informal group set up by our Sustainable Development
Committee's last meeting. UEAPME put forward proposals on topics such as the
role of the European Enterprise Network, how to better structure support for
SMEs at local level, SMEs in the greening of the value chain, how SMEs can get
credit to make their production process greener or access to the international
market for green products and services.

UEAPME debates on green jobs and SMEs

Sustainable
Development Director Guido Lena, along with MEP Karin Kadenbach and a DG
Employment representative, attended a panel discussion on "Green Jobs –
employment potential and working conditions" organised by the Austrian Federal
Chamber of Labour in Brussels. The aim was to analyse and discuss which
professions can be described as a green job and which working conditions and
salaries are to be expected. Less time should be spent on a clear-cut
definition of green jobs as focus should be on making a socially responsible
transition to a green society and facing the climate change, he said. SMEs
create the most green jobs, he noted, a favourable framework for manufacturing,
technical assistance and accessibility to upfront financing need to be set up
in order to enhance their role. Member states have to ensure no mismatching
exists between the need for companies to become greener and what the market
offers, and invest in SMEs to achieve a greener society, he concluded.

UEAPME- The European Association of Craft,
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises