Category: Archive – 2006

Il-GRTU tinnota b’dispjacir li waqt li l-kummercjanti u l-esportaturi Maltin ghadhom ihallsu tariffi esagerati ghall- hrug u dhul ta containers mill-portijiet Maltin bi sfida ghall-weghdi kollha li ilhom isiru s-snin li dawn it-tariffi ser jonqsu, min hu responsabbli ghadu lanqas biss beda jifhem x’suppost kellu jaghmel. Ic-Chairman tal-Malta Maritime Authority Dr. Marc Bonello, li huwa il-bniedem inkarigat mir-Riforma li l-Gvern ikkommetta li jwettaq fil-Portijiet Maltin biex jaghmilhom irhas ghall-kummercjanti u esportaturi u aktar efficjenti, jghid li it-tariffi qed jonqsu meta fil-fatt qed jgholew. Issa Dr. Bonello qed jahseb li t-tariffi qed jgholluhom l-Burdnara( Cargo Hauliers). Din mhux biss hi hrafa izda wkoll turi debolezza kbira minn naha ta’ Dr. Bonello dwar il-fatti veri dwar it-tariffi tal-portijiet.

Il-GRTU tinnota b’dispjacir li waqt li l-kummercjanti u l-esportaturi Maltin ghadhom ihallsu tariffi esagerati ghall- hrug u dhul ta containers mill-portijiet Maltin bi sfida ghall-weghdi kollha li ilhom isiru s-snin li dawn it-tariffi ser jonqsu, min hu responsabbli ghadu lanqas biss beda jifhem x’suppost kellu jaghmel. Ic-Chairman tal-Malta Maritime Authority Dr. Marc Bonello, li huwa il-bniedem inkarigat mir-Riforma li l-Gvern ikkommetta li jwettaq fil-Portijiet Maltin biex jaghmilhom irhas ghall-kummercjanti u esportaturi u aktar efficjenti, jghid li it-tariffi qed jonqsu meta fil-fatt qed jgholew. Issa Dr. Bonello qed jahseb li t-tariffi qed jgholluhom l-Burdnara( Cargo Hauliers). Din mhux biss hi hrafa izda wkoll turi debolezza kbira minn naha ta’ Dr. Bonello dwar il-fatti veri dwar it-tariffi tal-portijiet.

Kull min hu midhla tal-Freeport jaf li n-negozjanti Maltin ilhom ghomor ihallsu, bil-fors, kontribuzzjoni qawwija ghall-iskema tal-pensjonijiet tal-haddiema tax-xatt stevedores u li ilhom ghomor ihallsu ghall-profitti esagerati li l-Cargo Handling ghamlet bla skruplu ta’ xejn u bla kontroll ta’ hadd min fuq it-traffiku kollu ta containers ghas-suq lokali li jaghddi mil-Freeport. Fil-Fond tal-Penzjonijiet tal-haddiema tax-xatt illum hemm Lm10 miljuni kollha mhallsa min-negozjanti Maltin, il-bicca l-kbira minn fuq it-tariffi ta’ containers li jghaddu mill-Freeport. Kulhadd stenna li bir-Riforma fl-ahhar it-tariffi esagerati li kienu qed jithallsu ghax-xoghol tal-Freeport kienu ser jonqsu drastikament.

Meta c-Chairman tal-Malta Maritime Authority u z-zewg esperti li ghandu mieghu nnegozjaw it-tariffi il-godda li ddahhlu fis-sehh fil-Freeport mill- 1 ta’ Lulju 2006, il-GRTU ppredendiet li jkunu, nnegozjati mill-gdid it-tariffi kollha biex waqt li jinatgha dak li hu gust u dovut lill-haddiema tax-xatt (stevedores) issa li l-fond tal-penzjoni taghhom hi l-aktar fond ta’ penzjoni sinjura f’ Malta, il-hlasijiet zejda mghobbija fuq il-kummercjanti jonqsu drastikament. Il-GRTU kienet tippretendi li la spiccat l-Cargo Handling il-profitti kbar li din il-kumpanija kienet taghmel mill-Freeport illum mhux jghaddi b’rigal fis-sena lill-Freeport, izda jitnehhew ghall-kollox u jitgawdew min-negozjanti Maltin bhala tnaqqis drastiku fit-tariffi tal-Freeport. In-negozjanti izda gew imqarqa u minflok dawn il-profitti jinghataw lill-Freeport.

Kieku Dr. Bonello u l-Kumitat tieghu kienu kapaci jinnegozjaw dak li n-negozjanti Maltin ippretendew minnhom kieku it-tariffi tal-Freeport illum naqsu ta l-anqas b’35% u xorta wahda l-haddiema tax-xatt u l-Freeport kienu jkunu hadu prezz gust. Minflokk in-negozjanti Maltin illum qed ihallsu tariffi ghola milli kienu jhallsu qabel. Affarjiet li ma jitwemnux!

U Dr. Bonello ghajjar l-GRTU li ma tafx taghmel is-somom. Il-GRTU is-somom taf taghmilhom. Il-GRTU tippretendi li s-somom taf taghmilhom wkoll il-Kamra tal-Kummerc u l-FOI. Izda dawn minflokk li indunaw minn kmieni il-passata li kienu qed jghadduhom dwar it-tariffi portwali, qaghdu fuq l-weghdiet fierha ta min mhux kapaci jinnegozja u flok support lil GRTU, hargu jajru lil GRTU.

In-negozjant Malti ghandu dritt ikun jaf il-fatti. In-negozjant Malti ghandu dritt jitlob lil Dr. Bonello, bhala l-ghassies pubbliku tieghu, biex jippublika it-tariffi kollha, linja b’linja, biex kullhadd ikun jaf, lira b’lira, fejn qed immorru l-hlasijiet li jsiru lil portijiet. Mhux gust li waqt li n-negozjanti Maltin jistinkaw kontinwament biex ifendu u jhaddmu l-eluf ta’ Maltin maghhom, haddiehor ippapija minn fuq dahrhom u r-Regolatur Pubbliku, li suppost jaqbez ghalihom, mhawwad u jhawwad.

Il-GRTU mhux ser titlaqha din il-kwistjoni. Il-Burdnara setghu ghamlu bhal haddiehor ghollew it-tariffi taghhom u hallew kollox ghaddej. Taht id-direzzjoni tal-GRTU izda l-burdnara ma ghamlux hekk.

Il-fatti juru li l-burdnara, la llum u lanqas qatt ma ggieldu biex jghollu it-tariffi taghhom. L-argumenti tal-burdnara dejjem kienu biex l-awtoritajiet ma jkomplux jabbulhom pizijiet u xkiel zejjed biex huma jkunu jistghu jaghtu servizz ahjar lil kummercjanti u esportaturi Maltin u bl-inqas prezz. Il-kwistjoni tal-lum dwar l-officju fid-Dwana fix-xatt il-Blet flo Kalafrana, mhiex ghajr sforz iehor mil-Burdnara biex ma jhallux lill-min, ghax-xehha jibqa jghabbi fuq dhar il-Burdnara u jtelfilhom l-efficjenza ta’ xogholhom.

In-negozjanti serji dan kollha jafuh. Il-GRTU ma tistenniex grazzi talli wahedha qed tissielet kontra l-imposizzjoni li n-negozjant qed isoffri mill-awtoriatjiet tal-Portijiet Maltin. Il-GRTU izda tippretendi li ohrajn li jitkellem ghan-negozji jerfghu wkoll ir-responsabbilita’ taghhhom. Issa wara l-Freeport diga beda jberraq dwar it-tariffi tal-Port l-Kbir.

Il-GRTU illum tistenna li l-Prim Ministru jwaqqaf Kumitat ta Esperti biex jinvestiga bis-serjeta’ dak li qed isir dwar it-tariffi tal-Portijiet ghax il-fatti li qed jghaddulu huma zbaljati u ghal dawn l-izbalji kollha qed ihallas il-kummercjant u finalment il-konsumatur Malti. In-Negozjanti Maltin jistennew azzjoni u mhux weghdi fierha.

Il-GRTU llum laqqet lill-operaturi turistici mill-inhawi tal-Qawra, Bugibba u San Pawl l-Bahar, kemm sidien ta’ hwienet u ta’ bars u restaurants, kif ukoll ohrajn bl-istabbilimenti f’dawn iz-zoni. Id-Direttur Generali tal-GRTU spjega x’inhuma r-regolamenti l-godda li issa bdew jikkontrollaw l-operaturi tat-Time Share. Huwa enfasizza li l-GRTU temmen bi shih, fl-importanza tat-Time Share ghall- industrija 0tat-Turizmu ta’ Malta; izda temmen ukoll li ghandhom jinqatghu l-abbuzi kollha ta’ dawk li b’emilhom qed ihammgu l-isem ta’ din l-industrija, idejqu lit-turisti u jaghmlu hsara lill-istabillimenti fiz-zoni turistici.

Il-GRTU llum laqqet lill-operaturi turistici mill-inhawi tal-Qawra, Bugibba u San Pawl l-Bahar, kemm sidien ta’ hwienet u ta’ bars u restaurants, kif ukoll ohrajn bl-istabbilimenti f’dawn iz-zoni. Id-Direttur Generali tal-GRTU spjega x’inhuma r-regolamenti l-godda li issa bdew jikkontrollaw l-operaturi tat-Time Share. Huwa enfasizza li l-GRTU temmen bi shih, fl-importanza tat-Time Share ghall- industrija 0tat-Turizmu ta’ Malta; izda temmen ukoll li ghandhom jinqatghu l-abbuzi kollha ta’ dawk li b’emilhom qed ihammgu l-isem ta’ din l-industrija, idejqu lit-turisti u jaghmlu hsara lill-istabillimenti fiz-zoni turistici.

Is-sistema ta’ regolamenti godda li hadmet bi shih fuqha l-GRTU, hija bbazata fuq sistema ta’ garanziji bankarji ghal kull individwu li ser ikun llicenzjat biex ibieh it-Time Share. Kull bejjiegh tat-Time Share (OPC) issa ser ikollu Tag li tidentifika li mhux biss min hu u li hu llicenzjat, izda wkoll ma’ liema Time Share u nnagat.

Ir-regolamenti l-godda wkoll jimponu regolamenti stretti dwar l-imgieba ta’ dawn l-bejjiegha bil-ghan car li filwaqt li jkun issalvagwardjat l-ghixien ta’ l-OPC professjonali u ta’ l-affari tieghu, jinqatghu mit-toroq dawk li jiehdu dan ix-xoghol bhala xi haga temporanja minghajr ma jimpurthom xejn mil-hsara li jaghmlu bil-guffagni ta’ emilhom.

Is-sistema l-gdida issa tista’ tithaddem u tkun infurzata. Il-GRTU appuntat rapprezentanti fit-toroq ewlenin ta’ Bugibba, l-Qawra u San Pawl l-Bahar, biex dawn jizguraw li l-Enforcement isir. Ir-responsabilita’ shiha issa hija tac-Chief Enforcement Officer, tal-Ministeru tat-Turizmu, u l-Malta Tourism Authority u n-nies tieghu. Dawn issa m’ghandhom l-ebda skuza li r-regolamenti mhumiex enforceable. M’ghandhom l-ebda skuza li l-affarjiet issa m’ghadhomx isiru sewwa.

Il-GRTU tappella lil Ministeru tat-Turizmu li jizgura li min hu responsabbli, issa ghandu jaghmel dmiru u jisgura li t-Time Share f’ Malta jirbah lura r-rispett li l-industrija serja jixirqilha.

GRTU: Malta Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises is pleased to note that many of the suggestions forwarded by GRTU were carried by NECC in the published guideline and best practice document. However, the fundamental issues were once again ignored.

GRTU: Malta Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises is pleased to note that many of the suggestions forwarded by GRTU were carried by NECC in the published guideline and best practice document. However, the fundamental issues were once again ignored.

The Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises never agreed on the obligatory dual pricing but suggested a voluntary dual pricing for all business organisations and a period of obligatory dual pricing for government / parastatal organisations. This in order to ensure no increase in prices and hence to ensure price stability. In an obligatory system, the businesses shall incur unnecessary cost, including Human Resources costs. GRTU insisted with NECC to understand that the utilisation of resources is a major cost in business as well, particularly in smaller businesses with very few employees.

In this light, the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises had proposed also a positive discrimination in encouraging voluntary dual prices. Such positive discrimination was based on size of the retail space and on the annual turnover. Unfortunately the NECC ignored such proposal as well.

The Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises, furthermore reiterates that there is an over emphasis on the effectiveness of Dual Pricing in the whole campaign. The most successful country in the first wave countries introducing Euro on 1 January 2002, Germany, resorted to other medium and they were proven right as may be seen from the table hereunder
The following table shows the annual percentage change on the same month in the previous year.
Euro area (%) Germany (%)
Feb 2002* 2.4 1.8
Jan 2002* 2.7 2.3
Dec 2001* 2.0 1.5
Feb 2001* 2.3 2.5
Jan 2001* 2.3 2.2
*on previous year

Source: HICP
The statistics show clearly where information was obtained by the consumers.

41 per cent thought the media
14 per cent thought shops and other retailers
46 per cent thought the banks
8 per cent thought consumer or other representative groups
31 per cent thought family and friends

In this light, the Chamber asks on how come in spite of the clear indications the NECC is placing so much emphasis on Obligatory Dual Pricing.

Furthermore the observatory being set up seems not to be aimed at assisting and educating businesses but as another blood hound, something which is not acceptable to the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises.

The Government should also ensure that the costs that it is obliging businesses to incur or as an incentive to abide during the voluntary stage, Government should allow a 200 percent tax credit on all costs incurred related to the Dual Prices or Euro adoption. Capital Expenditure incurred in this respect should be written off for tax purposes in the same year.

Furthermore, GRTU reiterates that businesses require the necessary guarantees that the Euro will be introduced on 1 January 2008 and that the irrevocable fixed rates shall be fixed in July 2007.

The Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises believes, however, that the main issue on Price Stability is to ensure that in the first place the costs are stable for businesses. In this respect, Government should with immediate effect commit itself for no increases in all government driven costs including Fuel and Water and Electricity Surcharge which is having a big effect on prices.

In view of the above, GRTU Malta Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises, holds its directive to businesses and keeps its withdrawal status from NECC until an acceptable solution is found.

Il-GRTU tinnota b’sodisfazzjon li l-Gvern beda jiccaqlaq b’mod affettiv fuq il-hlasijiet li n-negozjanti jridu bil-fors jaghmlu ghall-hrug u dhul ta containers fil-portijiet Maltin. Dak li kien thabbar fit-28 ta’ Gunju 2006 mill-Malta Maritime Authority u li kien ipprezentat bhala rohs fit-tarriffi Portwali ma kienx rohs xejn. L-MMA qatt ma kellha titkellem qabel ma negozjat, ma kulhadd, pakkett shih li kien ifisser rohs bis-serjeta ghall-hrug u dhul ta’ containers.

Il-GRTU tinnota b’sodisfazzjon li l-Gvern beda jiccaqlaq b’mod affettiv fuq il-hlasijiet li n-negozjanti jridu bil-fors jaghmlu ghall-hrug u dhul ta containers fil-portijiet Maltin. Dak li kien thabbar fit-28 ta’ Gunju 2006 mill-Malta Maritime Authority u li kien ipprezentat bhala rohs fit-tarriffi Portwali ma kienx rohs xejn. L-MMA qatt ma kellha titkellem qabel ma negozjat, ma kulhadd, pakkett shih li kien ifisser rohs bis-serjeta ghall-hrug u dhul ta’ containers.

Minflok, l-MMA ghazlet takkuza lil min ikkritikha li huma kontra r-riforma tal-portijiet. Min hu qrib l-portijiet u l-MMA innifisha jaf li l-GRTU dejjem kienet favur ir-riforma. Ir-riformi izda kellha tolqot il-hlasijiet zejda tal-privleggati u l-monopolji li jiddominaw ix-xoghol tal-portijiet.

Minflok gara hekk izda gew attakkati l-burdnara u l-agenti tal-vapuri li bejniethom ihaddmu aktar minn 1,500 ruh u li bejniethom ghandhom investimenti li jqumu il-miljuni tal-liri u huma kollha privati.

Il-Burdnara ghandhom is-support tal-kummercjanti u esportaturi kollha ghax dawn kollha jafu li fost il-burdnara m’hemm l-ebda kartell, anzi hemm kompetizzjoni sfrenata ta’ min jghati l-aqwa servizz bl-ahjar ingenji u trakkijiet u bl-inqas prezzijiet. Ir-Riforma kellha taffetwa l-ineficjenzi kbar li gabu l-port il-kbir fil-faqar ta investiment li waqa’ fih illum u lil dawk li bla ma jinvesta xejn hobzhom dejjem mahbus.

Issa, fl-ahhar, wara l-azzjoni tal-GRTU, r-rati bdew nezlin. Bdew nezlin mir-rati gholjin li l-negozjanti kellhom ihallsu sa mill- 1 ta’ Lulju 2006. Ir-rati li qed jithallsu llum ghall-Freeport izda xorta wahda ghandhom gholjin b’ 5% aktar fuq containers tal-20 pied u b’8% aktar fuq container tal-40 pied. L-GRTU ghalhekk ghadha tippressa lil-Gvern biex jisgura li jkun hemm tnaqqis aktar.

Il-GRTU tawgura li n-negozjati li l-Gvern ghad ghandu mal-kuntrattur il-gdid tal-Port il-Kbir u mal-Freeport jgib tnaqqis aktar, Riforma li twassal biss ghal zidiet fl-ispejjez tan-negozjanti biex min hu komdu jibqa’ komdu, mhi riforma xejn.

Dwar l-Freeport l-GRTU issa waslet qrib ghal arrangament ahhari dwar kif ser jiffunzjona l-Ufficju tal-Hlas fid-Dwana fix-Xatt tal- Belt u dwar arrangamenti ohra li jiffacilitaw ix-xoghol tal-burdnara. Hu ttamat li jkun hemm konkluzjoni dwar dan sal-gimgha id-diehla.

Il-GRTU tiddikjara pubblikament li ma taqbel xejn ma dawk li jghidu li jirraprezentaw lil kummerc u l-industrija izda jridu jgibu l-bidliet bil-paroli biss u billi jikkritikaw, flok li jsostnu, lil min, bhall GRTU, jiehu azzjoni bis-serjeta favur il-bidla.

Il-GRTU tibqa issostni li jekk ma ssehhx il-bidla vera li ssarraf f’ tnaqqis vizibbli fir-rati tal-hlasijiet li jaghmlu l-kummercjanti ghas-servizzi portwali, il- GRTU tkun lesta, terga tiehu azzjoni.

Ghax bid-dgergir biss f’Malta ma tasalx.

Il-GRTU llum ferhet lil Ministru tat-Turizmu u Kultura, l-Onor Dr Francis Zammit Dimech wara l-pubblikazzjoni tar-Regolamenti Godda li jikkontrollaw l-attivita ta’ bejgh mill-OPC’s tat-time share.

Il-GRTU matul dawn l-ahhar xhur hadmet mal-partijiet kollha involuti u laqqghet lil OPC’s li huma wkoll operaturi self-employed, biex jitfasslu regolamenti li filwaqt li ma jxeklux dan is-settur hekk importanti ghat-turizmu, ma jippermettux lil dawk l-OPC’s l-aktar barranin li m’ghandhomx interess fit-tul ghall-operat taghhom, li jkunu ta’ hsara lil istess time-share business u ta’ xkiel insapportabbli lil hwienet, bars, restoranti, u negozji ohra fiz-zoni turistici.

Il-GRTU llum ferhet lil Ministru tat-Turizmu u Kultura, l-Onor Dr Francis Zammit Dimech wara l-pubblikazzjoni tar-Regolamenti Godda li jikkontrollaw l-attivita ta’ bejgh mill-OPC’s tat-time share.

Il-GRTU matul dawn l-ahhar xhur hadmet mal-partijiet kollha involuti u laqqghet lil OPC’s li huma wkoll operaturi self-employed, biex jitfasslu regolamenti li filwaqt li ma jxeklux dan is-settur hekk importanti ghat-turizmu, ma jippermettux lil dawk l-OPC’s l-aktar barranin li m’ghandhomx interess fit-tul ghall-operat taghhom, li jkunu ta’ hsara lil istess time-share business u ta’ xkiel insapportabbli lil hwienet, bars, restoranti, u negozji ohra fiz-zoni turistici.

Il-GRTU temmen li bir-regolamenti godda l-industrija tat-time share ghandha tissahhah u l-operat tal-OPC’s professjonali jkun aktar konsolidat u dan bla xkiel ghan-negozji l-ohra fiz-zoni turistici li lkoll igawdu meta it-turist, aktar milli mdejjaq, jkun mejghun igawdi l-facilitajiet kollha li z-zoni turistici joffru.

Il-GRTU, f’laqghat seperati li kellha mal-Ministru l-Onor. Dr Francis Zammit Dimech u mas-Segretarju Permanenti fil-Ministeru tat-Turizmu u Kultura, is-Sur Peter Portelli, filwaqt li rringrazzjathom tax-xoghol li sar biex ir-regolamenti kif proposti mill-GRTU jkunu approvati, appellat biex ikun assigurat li l-Enforcement issa jsir bis-serjeta.

Il-GRTU qed torganizza l-membri u s-setturi tan-negozji fiz-zoni turistici biex kulhadd jaghti sehemu biex ir-regolamenti l-godda jkunu effettivi.

During the Public Consultation process on the rationalization development boundaries, GRTU pointed out that initially the criteria as suggested by Cabinet should be fine-tuned in order to make the process much fairer in the interests of a better planning process.

GRTU notes that should this exercise have been done properly, the first thing that should have been done is to define the urban boundaries of every settlement, town and village in Malta and Gozo. In this way, the price of property would have been better stabilized as this would have increased the supply side.

During the Public Consultation process on the rationalization development boundaries, GRTU pointed out that initially the criteria as suggested by Cabinet should be fine-tuned in order to make the process much fairer in the interests of a better planning process.

GRTU notes that should this exercise have been done properly, the first thing that should have been done is to define the urban boundaries of every settlement, town and village in Malta and Gozo. In this way, the price of property would have been better stabilized as this would have increased the supply side.

Although Government had tried to define such boundaries in order to rectify anomalies and at the same time increase the urban supply, it was also wary of releasing large amounts of land for development.

GRTU notes inconsistencies between the guidelines for the rationalization exercise and the desire to restrict new developments. This resulted in an unfair outcome where land that conformed with the guidelines was not included for development purpose. GRTU contends that this is illogical and detrimental from many aspects.

If one had to apply the criteria as per cabinet memo, a larger amount of land requested would have qualified. Government placed itself in a very difficult situation where it had to decide between the needs and desires of all parties involved. GRTU supports all those who feel that this exercise has been particularly unfair and in many cases no justice has been done and previous anomalies have not been rectified in quite a large number of cases.

The process itself was subject to differing interpretation by Planning Directorate and GRTU does not feel that MEPA was given enough time to do a just and professionally well prepared exercise. GRTU is particularly concerned that there is no appeal process so that any person who feels discriminated against can have redress. GRTU is seeking legal advice to establish whether this position is compatible with local and EU law.

GRTU fails to understand how MEPA and the Cabinet of Ministers took 18 long years to realize that the “temporary” schemes needed adjusting, and then this “adjusting” was carried out in less than a month and a half. GRTU like many others in Malta feels that this form of decision-making is suspect and should be condemned

GRTU will be studying Cabinet and MEPA’s decisions in more detail and will analyse the whole process and all the areas released for development and will pronounce itself at a later stage. GRTU is inviting members and others from the business community to refer any issue they wish to incorporate within the GRTU analysis.

For more details please contact Mr Sandro Chetcuti President GRTU Developers on 99492095

GRTU has examined the letter sent by the MLP proposing the Luxembourg model to solve Malta’s medicine registration problem. Whilst thanking the MLP for the interest, GRTU believes that the response given by Commissioner Verhuegen, while convergent with the discussions now underway between the Government and the social partners on this issue, does not suffice as a solution to Malta’s current medicine registration problems. GRTU contends that any settlement of this issue has to take place under existing EU legislation and in agreement with the social partners in Malta.

GRTU has examined the letter sent by the MLP proposing the Luxembourg model to solve Malta’s medicine registration problem. Whilst thanking the MLP for the interest, GRTU believes that the response given by Commissioner Verhuegen, while convergent with the discussions now underway between the Government and the social partners on this issue, does not suffice as a solution to Malta’s current medicine registration problems. GRTU contends that any settlement of this issue has to take place under existing EU legislation and in agreement with the social partners in Malta.

GRTU states that by simply introducing the Luxembourg model as a basis for registration of medicines will not solve all Malta’s problems. Malta needs a strong well funded Medicines Authority in order to fulfil its role as an EU member state. Besides importing for its own needs, Malta also has a relatively strong and growing manufacturing and re-export industry. This new sector registers twenty new medicines a month, which besides important government revenue, also guarantees a substantial element of foreign direct investment to Malta and provides a substantial amount of high quality employment with great economic valualive. The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector in Malta is today an important part of Malta’s manufacturing sector and a contributor to GDP that cannot be denied. The medicine authority must guarantee that the foreign and Maltese investors in this sector remain in Malta and continue to offer employment to Maltese workers and service contracts to many self employed and other small Maltese businesses.

It is important, GRTU contends, that a Maltese Medicines Authority, remains to offers services to the growing pharmaceutical manufacturing base in Malta. Just introducing the Luxembourg model on its own is, therefore, with all respect to the welcome efforts of the labour MEP’s, not the holistic solution that GRTU favours. There are many other issues that an acceptable solution must address. The problems that need to be resolved include the issue of fees and other technical issues. The most important is the registration of the medicines that have not been registered by Maltese traders or their suppliers, with the result that a vast amount of medicines are now vanishing from the Maltese market, thus endangering the health services standards of our country. In addition to this, there is the problem of failure by Maltese importers, or their suppliers, to register new medicine. Both these failures are due to the exorbitant cost of registration of medicines in Malta.

GRTU has made proposals to the Maltese Government that, while safeguarding the jobs and investments of the growing Maltese manufacturing sector, would also make available on the Maltese market the largest number of medicines possible and at the best prices to consumers.

GRTU points out that the solutions implemented in the past, like the introduction of the Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) system in 1997, contributed in no small way to reducing competition in the market with the consequences that prices increased. It also resulted in a large amount of products being placed on the market from countries where the CPP was easily obtainable without due attention being given to quality. GRTU, today, therefore, is hesitant to recommends solutions that do not fully respect specific Maltese market conditions.

GRTU therefore believes that instead of proposing the Luxemburg model, as a solution, it is best that the current process of consultation involving all stakeholders and Government authorities is concluded at the earliest. GRTU recommends that the Labour opposition is also involved in these consultations so that whatever solution is agreed to, is genuinely an national solution.

GRTU is confident that the discussions presently under way will provide a solution that meets the requirements of the country for the years to come. In the coming days an important meeting chaired by the Prime Minister is being held and GRTU is expecting a final solution to this long protracted problem. GRTU now expects the two sides of the political spectrum in Malta to come together and agree on the solution being proposed, and hopefully agreed to, by the social partners and the Maltese medicine authorities.

For Release
July 12, 2006

For further information please do not hesitate to contact:
Mr. Mario Debono on 99494405

GRTU qed taghti s-support shih taghha lil Assocjazzjoni tal-Hwienet ta’ Wied il-Ghajn fuq il-kwistjoni kollha tal-Fish Farms ghall-kummenti fuq l-ahhar zviluppi kkuntatjaw lil Reuben Buttigieg, President tal-Assocjazjoni tal-Hwienet ta’ Wied il-Ghajn u Membru tal-Kunsill tal GRTU fuq:

Erremme Options Ltd 113B, Paola Road, Tarxien PLA 11
Tel: 21661273/79297389

Delegazzjoni tal-GRTU li kienet tinkludi il-President Paul Abela u d-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia u l-membri tal-Kumitat tal-Burdnara, illum kellhom laqgha ta siegha mal-Prim Ministru, l-Onor. Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, u l-Ministru responsabbli mil-Portijiet, l-Onor. Censu Galea u s-Segretarju Parlamentari, l-Onor. Edwin Vassallo. F’din il-laqgha r-raprezentanti tal-Burdnara spjegaw bid-dettall kif isir il-hrug u d-dhul ta’ containers mill-Portijiet u taw id-dettalji kollha tad-dokumentazzjoni u l-hlasijiet kollha li jridu jsiru biex container ikun rilaxxat mill-Freeport.

Delegazzjoni tal-GRTU li kienet tinkludi il-President Paul Abela u d-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia u l-membri tal-Kumitat tal-Burdnara, illum kellhom laqgha ta siegha mal-Prim Ministru, l-Onor. Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, u l-Ministru responsabbli mil-Portijiet, l-Onor. Censu Galea u s-Segretarju Parlamentari, l-Onor. Edwin Vassallo. F’din il-laqgha r-raprezentanti tal-Burdnara spjegaw bid-dettall kif isir il-hrug u d-dhul ta’ containers mill-Portijiet u taw id-dettalji kollha tad-dokumentazzjoni u l-hlasijiet kollha li jridu jsiru biex container ikun rilaxxat mill-Freeport.

Il-Burdnara spjegaw illi meta driver ta’ truck jitla l-Freeport huwa jkollu f’idejh id-dokumenti kollha li jkunu klerjati u mhallsa minn numru ta’ ufficini li huma kollha stabbiliti fiz-zona tal-Port l-Kbir. Dawn l-ufficini jinkludu mhux biss l-ufficju tal-hlas u l-clearance li sa l-ahhar ta Gunju kien stabbilit l-Marsa u li l-GRTU issa qed tipproponi li jkun fid-Dwana x-Xatt tal-Belt, izda wkoll id-diversi ufficini tad-Dwana mehtiega ghall-kull verifika u hlas, kif ukoll l-ufficini l-ohra bhall ma huma ta’ l-ambjent, tal-biccerija, tas-sahha u ta l-istripping, u l-ufficini kollha tas-shipping agents, li kollha kemm huma jinsabu fiz-zona tal-Belt, Floriana u Marsa. Il-Burdnara spjegaw li kull container ghandu l-istorja tieghu u ghalekk mhux possibli li l-paper work isir l-Freeport ghax f’Birzebbugia assolutament m’hemmx in-network ta ufficini relevanti li jezistu fl-inhawi tal-Port l-Kbir u ghalekk assolutament mhux prattikabli li jinqala ufficju wiehed biss miz-zona tal-Port l-Kbir meta l-ohrajn kollha ghadhom u ser jibqghu fiz-zona tal-Belt.

Ma taghmel l-ebda logika li l-Burdnara jew l-iskrivani taghhom joqghodu telghin u nizlin l-Freeport meta x-xoghol kollu mehtieg hu marbut ma l-inhawi tal-Port u dan kollu biex tal-Freeport ma jhallux zewg impjegati fiz-zona tal-Belt. Aktar u aktar meta illum hu maghruf li d-Direttur Generali tad-Dwana offrilhom l-facilitajiet kollha mehtiega biex l-Ufficju tal-Freeport ikun jista jahdem b’moghod efficjenti u bl-inqas skarrigg ghall-Burdnara u l-kummercjanti kollha li jridu jghaddu d-dokumenti biex ikunu rilaxxati l-containers.

Ir-rapprezentanti tal-Burdnara nfasizzaw mal-Prim Ministru li huwa ghall-kollox illogiku li l-Gvern jabbanduna l-politika dikjarata tal-Ministru responsabbli mil-Portijiet illi jkun stabbilit “one stop shop” fil Maritime Building ix-Xatt tal-Belt biex minflok isir ufficju fil-Freeport li ma jista qatt jaqdi l-funzjoni ta’ “one stop shop” ghaliex mhux koncenibbli li jiccaqalqu l-ufficini kollha l-ohra mehtiega biex ikunu rilaxxati containers b’partikularijiet differenti wiehed mill- l-iehor, ghaliex hekk jidirlu l-Freeport.

Il-Prim Ministru, skond il-wedgha li saret lill-GRTU, ikkonferma li huwa personalment ser jitkellem ma l-operaturi tal-Freeport biex tinstab soluzzjoni ghall kwistjoni marbuta ma l-ufficju ta’ hlasijiet u clearances. Il-Prim Ministru assigura l-GRTU li tinghata risposta. Li tittiehed decizjoni fil-ftit granet li gejjin.

Maghtul il-jum il-Burdnara kkoperaw bi shih ma l-operaturi tal-Freeport biex illum inharget kwantita’ record ta’ containers mil-Freeport biex fl-iqsar zmien possibli titnehha il-load li akkumulat maghtul l-granet li ma kienux qed jaghtu s-servizz tagghom l-Burdnara.

Mil-lum il-Burdnara bdew jipprezentaw lill-importaturi l-kontijiet l-godda li l-Burdnara qed jigu mgeghla jhallsu f’isimhom li jinkludu zidiet ta Lm56.80 fuq kull container ta l-erbghin u zidiet ta’ Lm 33.25 fuq kull container ta’ l-ghoxrin pied.