Category: Archive – 2006

Il-prezzijiet tal-fuels regghu gholew. Il-Malta Resources Authority (MRA), ir-Regulatur Pubbliku li xogholhom hu li jiddefendu l-interess tal-users u l-konsumaturi approvaw. Il-Gvern li hu ffacjat bi problema ta’ zieda fl-inflazzjoni li tista’ tharbat il-pjan ta’ Malta li llahqu t-targets ta’ Maastricht sa l-ahhar tal-2007 biex fl-1 ta’ Jannar 2008 nidhlu fil-Euro, jidher li approva wkoll.

Il-prezzijiet tal-fuels regghu gholew. Il-Malta Resources Authority (MRA), ir-Regulatur Pubbliku li xogholhom hu li jiddefendu l-interess tal-users u l-konsumaturi approvaw. Il-Gvern li hu ffacjat bi problema ta’ zieda fl-inflazzjoni li tista’ tharbat il-pjan ta’ Malta li llahqu t-targets ta’ Maastricht sa l-ahhar tal-2007 biex fl-1 ta’ Jannar 2008 nidhlu fil-Euro, jidher li approva wkoll.

Il-figuri juru bic-car li s-surcharge fuq l-elettriku u l-ilma u z-zidiet kontinwi fil-prezz tal-fuels, l-aktar tad-diesel, huma l-kawza ewlenija tal-inflazzjoni. Ghal ftit xhur il-GRTU tat parir lis-setturi li tirraprezenta biex ma jghollux il-prezzijiet ghax kienet temmen li bil-kelma t-tajba u bi pressjoni gusta ggieghel lil Gvern jifhem li jekk mhux ser ifassal pjan serju li jpaci l-impatt taz-zidiet fl-elettriku, l-ilma u d-diesel, l-intrprizi ta’ pajjizna mhux ser ikunu kapaci jgorru dan il-piz kollu. Jekk isir hekk bilfors toghla sew l-inflazzjoni, jonqsu l-flus fl-idejn, u l-ekonomija tikber biss b’mod artificjali kawza tad-dhul u hrug ikbar li jaghmel il-Gvern mit-taxxi u mis-Surcharge tal-Enemalta.

Izda qiesna nitkellmu mal-hajt. Flok studju serju tal-impatt ekonomiku u socjali taz-zidiet tal-prodotti tal-energija u pjan serju biex ikun mitigat l-impatt negattiv fuq l-intarprizi, fuq il-familji u fuq l-ekonomija, il-Gvern ippubblika rapport ta’ verifika, kkwalifikat mill-istess awdituri, li ma jfisser assolutament xejn u li hu hela ta’ flus u ta’ hin.

Il-GRTU terga’ twiddeb b’mod serju u responsabbli: iggeghlux lin-nies u s-sidien tal-intraprizi li bilfors jipprotestaw b’mod pubbliku biex il-gvern jiccaqlaq. Il-GRTU ghamlet il-proposti taghha biex il-hsara ta’ dawn iz-zidiet fl-elettriku, l-ilma u d-diesel ikunu pacuti u it-triq ghalija hi li il-gvern jghati widen ghall-dawn il-proposti. Il-GRTU isaqsi: X’qieghed jistenna l-Gvern biex jiccaqlaq?

Il-GRTU ghamlitha wkoll cara: il-Gvern m’ghandux jibqa’ jistenna lis-sidien tan-negozji jaghmlu tajjeb minn buthom u fl-istess waqt izommu l-istess livell ta’ impjiegi qiesu mhu qed jigri xejn.

Il-GRTU terga’ tappella bil-qawwi biex il-Gvern jiccaqlaq: Ikun inutli li wara l-Gvern jipprova jwahhal fis-sidien tan-negozji ghax l-inflazzjoni tibqa’ tiela’ u l-qaghad jerga’ jibda tiela’. Il-Gvern irid iqum u jiccaqlaq issa qabel ikun tard wisq

It is crystal clear that the chairman of NECC has been badly informed throughout. This proves even further GRTU’s point that NECC has wrong channels of communication and information is being filtered within the structure.

It is crystal clear that the chairman of NECC has been badly informed throughout. This proves even further GRTU’s point that NECC has wrong channels of communication and information is being filtered within the structure.

GRTU on more than one occasion gave its proposal on Dual Pricing. The GRTU as well as other organisations gave their position and recommendations prior to the issuance of the Draft Guidelines but these were totally ignored. NECC should go back to the drawing board and not expect feedback which was already given in various fora!

The GRTU was proactive throughout the whole process and Mr. Zahra’s claims are not only incorrect but do not give justice to all the information that GRTU has given to the NECC and other organisations. GRTU was also backed by the consumers’ associations on how things are being handled in the committee it chaired before its withdrawal. NECC conveniently prefers to claim otherwise.

Also, it seems from the press statement that the Chairman is not fully aware on which committees the GRTU has been actively participating!

With respect to empowering the consumer the GRTU had also offered its contribution on the Training Task Force which was refused by the Chairman himself.

It is totally not correct that GRTU was offered any funds to educate its members. In spite of this, GRTU has already organised training in some localities at its own expense. It is astonishing that NECC was not able to provide the committees with appropriate resources to work and now claims to have offered funds!

NECC is far away from encouraging a smooth process, and resorting to these kind of tactics to ensure the position of certain people, is surely not in the best interest of Malta.

The GRTU invites again the Parliamentary Secretary in the Minister of Finance and the NECC Chairman to take stock and review NECC in order that it can start functioning. Malta is already too late in the process and as yet there is no appropriate structure to handle this critical moment. GRTU is committed to see Malta adopt the Euro in a smooth manner. This will not happen if incompetent bureaucrats continue to invest in strife and division. This changeover will work out best if government ensures the full operation of the sectors. GRTU represents and not by strifle and confrontation.

The GRTU is incredulous by the false claims of the National Euro Changeover Executive Committee as appeared in the Media.

GRTU input on various committees particularly on the IT Task Force is not being reflected in the documentation being published. Furthermore, GRTU had run a survey in anticipation of the various committees, issues and concerns which it has tried to give to the NECC. NECC refused such report as it said it has to pass through the structures within NECC. This when their was a deadline just two days after the task forces were formed. Such report had to wait weeks and weeks in order to find another occasion to represent these issues and concerns

The GRTU is incredulous by the false claims of the National Euro Changeover Executive Committee as appeared in the Media.

GRTU input on various committees particularly on the IT Task Force is not being reflected in the documentation being published. Furthermore, GRTU had run a survey in anticipation of the various committees, issues and concerns which it has tried to give to the NECC. NECC refused such report as it said it has to pass through the structures within NECC. This when their was a deadline just two days after the task forces were formed. Such report had to wait weeks and weeks in order to find another occasion to represent these issues and concerns.

Also the GRTU in its capacity as Chairing the Pricing Task Force presented a report in a predefined template by NECC, a report which arrogantly enough was sent back to it as the person in charge required specific dates on certain issues. As was explained on various occasions this was not possible in view of the way of operation of NECC itself.

GRTU reiterates, that as the Parliamentary Secretary confirmed, it was never consulted on the Euro Adoption Act. This was placed on the table prior to the private sector being represented on the NECC advisory committee. The Bill ignores all the issues that were discussed within the various committees.

Furthermore, the NECC Executive Committee members were telling the sub committees to address all issues within the central committee. On the other hand the Chairman, quite rightly, said the central committee is there for strategic issues only. This resulted into a high lack of communication and that various issues were filtered or not reported. In this light, the GRTU claims on what basis does NECC claim that all its suggestions have been taken into account when there are suggestions that were never read by the NECC.

The NECC executive committee was aware that the current structure was not working. Reuben Buttigieg, the GRTU representative, has highlighted this on various occasions to the extent that a whole NECC session was organised in order to address the issue. Unfortunately, once again, the NECC preferred to try and sell its position rather than understand and address the issue. In fact two weeks, have passed and the NECC has failed to address the matter once again.

It is clear from the statements in the press that the NECC is not recognising the issues. In this light, the GRTU has no other option but to address the issues itself in ways it deems necessary to protect the interest of its members and to ensure the environment in which business operate is not threatened or harassed any further.

The GRTU has already explained its position and its concerns to Hon Tonio Fenech who understood the position taken by GRTU. The Parliamentary Secretary promised to address the matter at the earliest.

GRTU: the Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises is once again highly disappointed that in spite of the Prime Minister’s promise to consult better in order to avoid negative impacts on businesses, the Cabinet and NECC continues to take their own route on a delicate issue as the Euro Adoption.

GRTU: the Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises is once again highly disappointed that in spite of the Prime Minister’s promise to consult better in order to avoid negative impacts on businesses, the Cabinet and NECC continues to take their own route on a delicate issue as the Euro Adoption.

1. The issue of the Euro Adoption Act is very serious.

The Euro Adoption Act was never put on table at the NECC Consultative Committee level despite the fact that the GRTU following strong pressure on Government was included in NECC. GRTU precisely wanted to be part of NECC so that no decisions were taken without GRTU’s knowledge. It is therefore insulting that a major decision is taken when GRTU is in Committee and GRTU is not consulted. In this respect, this Bill had no feedback or input from the experts in the related areas.

To add insult to injury the Bill itself includes items that have been discussed at a later stage during NECC Committees and which once again were totally ignored by the Steering Committee. Then wherefore have a Consultative Committee when the views of its members are disregarded.

It is obvious that the current structure of NECC is not functioning the way it should be and the way GRTU was promised that it would function, by the Hon Tonio Fenech. The Malta Chamber of Medium and Small Enterprises considers this non-functioning at this late hour to be very dangerous for the country and the economy. Euro Adoption will move ahead smoothly only if the stakeholders are involved.

The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises has given its full input at all times but the NECC Structure is made in such a way to kill all feedback which is not in line with that of individuals within the Executive Committee.

2. The Euro Adoption Bill

The way the Bill is structured leaves no room for discussion for future guidelines and Legal Notices. Effectively businesses will henceforth depend on the whim and character of the Minister holding the Finance Portfolio.

GRTU objects most strongly to the tendency adopted frequently by Government to design an Empowering Act then leave it to the Minister concerned to produce Legal Notices at will. GRTU strongly objects to Malta being governed by Legal Notice. Businesses cannot plan and have faith in the institutions if rules are changed at will by a Minister while Parliament abdicates its responsibilities.

Despite a clear disagreement on the most delicate issues, it appears that Cabinet intends to proceed with the Bill as it presently is. The NECC is failing to recognise that private enterprise shall be facing problems with what is being IMPOSED.

Should Cabinet and the NECC not take into account the various problems that the businesses shall be facing, the Malta Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises shall have no other option but to give its members the necessary directives. Businesses in Malta are under enough pressure and it is the role of GRTU to ensure that businesses flourish without additional hindrance. GRTU will not tolerate a situation where shop owners are blamed for the rise in inflation which is essentially government driven.

Through the bill the government is already prejudicing its position and leaving no room for consultation. This is clear and evident from the way the wording particularly in article 3(1). That is why GRTU believes that NECC is just a façade.

This Act as opposed to what the Prime Minister promised shall create further bureaucracy, penalties and abuses which will continue to hinder business growth and will continue to slow down the economy. It infringes on principles that are sacrosanct to GRTU.

Also this Authority will be empowered to absurd levels and the fines to be inflicted are astronomous. The system as discussed in the Bill is only aimed at hindering businesses and not to help and educate the latter in the process. The design of the bill shows the insensitivity of the legislator to core business issues.

This once again goes contrary to all the discussions taken place at NECC to educate rather than frustrate!

The Bill also gives various authorities to the Minister which if implemented ahead will create chaos, confusion and further bureaucracy.

The way the bill is drafted is aimed as a revenue generation for government as it is foreseen that fines and penalties be inflicted and there shall be no way in which a business can avoid such economic measures. The bill will also be conducive to the closure of business and suspension of licences.

In spite the appeal of the Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises inviting the Government to avoid confrontation on the matter, Cabinet and the NECC, still prefer to go ahead without prior discussion. The Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises is being left with no option but to take the necessary steps in the interest of its members and enterprise in Malta.

GRTU this morning had an urgent meeting with the Hon Tonio Fenech, Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, and informed him of GRTU decision to withdraw from NECC. The Hon Tonio Fenech appealed to GRTU to hold its withdrawal. GRTU gave Hon Fenech the objectives it has to the way the NECC is function and demanded a restructuring or at least a re-direction. GRTU made it clear:

a) That GRTU will not serve on Committees that are only a front for others to decide elsewhere
b) That GRTU will not be part of any scheme that will make shop owners the scope goal for Government’s misguides policies that are primarily responsible for the current and rising rate of inflation.

Objections to Bill

Article 3

1. The bill already states that it shall be mandatory to display prices in both Euro and Maltese Lira. This in spite various discussions on Voluntary systems and in spite of the recognised fact that certain sectors will not be in a position to display dual pricing.
2. Sub article II of article 3 reinforces sub article i
3. There cannot be new administrative procedures to add further to the bureaucracy in the country and to add to the possibility of already existing abuses by certain authorities.
4. The imposition of penalties in Article 3(v) with the provisos therefore show clearly the intention of government and that in spite of its continuous declaration to eliminate bureaucracy and to do an business impact assessment with respect to new regulation is in reality not coming to effect. Even the way that there is the intention to handle any appeals shows that the drafting of the bill is not aimed at educating but at revenue generation.

The imposition of penalties by authority/authorities
§ Another authority or existing authorities are to enforce the act
§ Fines are excessive
§ Suspension of trading licences are not acceptable
§ Imposition in spite of pending appeal
§ Powers of search and entry
§ Article 3 (v)(h) means price orders
5. Article 3 (vi) is imposing to not only comply with the European Union Regulations, directives and decisions but also to any recommendations. The recommendations need to reflect the circumstances of the Maltese environment and there are no better experts than the Maltese themselves in this.
6. Article 3(vii) regulates intentions. Malta cannot afford to start regulating a priori on the international obligations it intends to assume. The country is becoming all the more over regulated.
7. Article 4 gives power to the Prime Minister to change laws without going through the democratic process of Parliament
8. Article 5 heads to total chaos with the delegation of various parts of the Act to one or more authorities.

The Bill gives the impression to have been drafted by a legislator who is not aware how free enterprise and a free market work. The Bill shows a total lack of faith in the market and throws Malta back a number of decades. The Bill as is will ensure to slow down further business activity and to take off energy from the market, energy that could be utilised to generate and create business. Furthermore, the Bill as is will ensure to consume essential resources that could also be used for business growth.

GRTU RECOMMENDATIONS ON DUAL PRICING

This paper is being produced after GRTU meeting with Hon Tonio Fenech, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Mr. Joe Zahra, Chairman of the National Euro Changeover Committee.

The GRTU firmly believes that in the process to the adoption of the Euro the consumers need to be empowered through education and through an adequate information campaign. This education will also assist enterprise to eliminate the wrong perception that enterprise is there to abuse.

Understanding pricing practices and learning to think in Euro will take most people longer than the very short period of the dual circulation in early 2008. This however, need not be at the expense of the enterprise. We trust that the voluntary approach to providing guarantees of fair conversion and information to consumers can deliver a timely impact. If all consumers are to feel confident using the Euro by 2008, efforts must be stepped up now. We do not want shoppers feeling disoriented or suspicious. It is crucial that NECC assumes its responsibility in ensuring progress in this sense.

A voluntary agreement should be engaged into and NECC should mount heavy information campaigns to promote the voluntary agreement. The agreement should encourage dialogue between consumer and business organisations. GRTU has already proposed a draft of this agreement/code of conduct which the consumer organisations have already agreed to. This was discussed in the pricing task force within NECC and a copy of this has been forwarded to the Prime Minister and NECC.

With respect to the dual pricing “in an appropriate and agreed upon form”, the GRTU agrees that the following minimal information is provided in each shop:

§ Poster with Conversion Table
§ Conversion Cards to each customer
§ Display of Euro helpline number on tills
§ Dual Pricing on all items in Windows
§ Provision of “Convert your bill in Euros” Competition Cards
§ Assistance in compiling competition cards, where needed
§ Provision of Euro Games

All the above should be provided by NECC free of charge. Furthermore, NECC should reach an agreement with the mobile providers whereby one may text an amount in Malta Liri to a specific SMS number and the equivalent in Euros is received back. This should be provided free of charge.

The retailers should be empowered to provide further information to customers on a voluntary basis.

GRTU should be provided with a reasonable budget to organise training sessions in localities. The GRTU has already organised training seminars in certain localities in 2005.

The NECC should however, engage in a massive campaign using all communication channels in order to ensure consumer education. The GRTU has in various occasions provided ideas and recommendations with respect to the educational campaign.

NECC – National Euro Changeover Committee

1. The scope and aim of the consultative committee is not clear. The committee is NOT a steering committee nor a decision-making committee. Yet, every time the executive committee goes public, it incorporates in it the members of the consultative committee.
2. The executive committee goes public on issues that have never been discussed at the consultative committee level. Furthermore, they are saying that there was agreement on issues that have not been discussed or on which there was no agreement at all.
3. Major issues have been discussed at the consultative committee before the private sector was represented and these issues have not been put on the table again for discussion. These are the said Bill on Euro Adoption and also other issues such as the Optional Dual Pricing
4. In spite of the fact that on certain issues the private sector has been proactive as encouraged by the Chairman, the executive committee has totally ignored certain recommendations. This in spite of the detailed analysis done by the private sector which took into consideration also the costs to enterprise.
5. Within the current set up there is no for a where to raise certain issues as the Chairman heads rightly to discuss strategic issues at the Consultative committee whilst the NECC Executive committee says that even operational issues already discussed at the sub committee need to be re discussed at the Consultative Committee level. The result of all this is that the recommendations are again ignored.
6. The NECC Consultative committee is requiring feedback within unrealistic deadlines which do not allow for appropriate analysis. Furthermore, the analysis is required in pre-defined formats. It seems the executive committee is turning the Euro Changeover into a form compiling exercise. This further shows that there is not real awareness of the issues within the committee itself.
7. The NECC tried to avoid discussion with the main representative bodies on certain issues such as regarding the cash registers. In fact a meeting was called and the GRTU and other bodies had to discover this through their members. It must also be noted that the VAT department called such meeting for and on behalf of NECC and that not all cash register providers were invited to the meeting.
8. There were also occasions were the NECC executive committee refused feedback from GRTU as they could only accept it through committees, committees which were formed a couple of days before certain deadlines.
9. The NECC Executive Committee is coming up with issues without substantiating them with appropriate analysis.
10. The private sector has not been provided with the necessary tools to give the necessary input.
11. The Private sector was not made aware of certain activities being held regarding the Euro.
12. The Private Sector is and has been informed on certain issue only through the mass media. The examples are the Optional Dual Pricing, the Dual Pricing Date, the publication of the handbook, the Euro Adoption Act and so on.
13. The NECC Executive Committee has no real experts on economics or on Euro. The technicality required in such process warrants for better-informed staff and not resources that merely copy what other countries most of which ex communist countries do.
14. The Maltese reality is NOT being considered in this process.
15. The NECC is heading towards a total failure and this only because it is refusing what the experts in the various sectors are saying. The NECC has reached an unacceptable level of arrogance whereby it wants to give the impression that it is being consultative and then one person decides on his personal impressions of how the market works.
16. The GRTU refuses that anybody of the NECC talks on its behalf especially when it has not been consulted.

The GRTU Malta Chamber of SME’s in representation of retail outlets who operate the Student grants Smart Card managed by SMGB is gravely concerned that the SMGB is using an attitude towards retailers which is not only arrogant and unacceptable in a country which is a member state of the European Union, but that verges on the abusive. This SMGB Board handles the 8 million Malta Liri a year in grants offered to students by the Government.

The GRTU Malta Chamber of SME’s in representation of retail outlets who operate the Student grants Smart Card managed by SMGB is gravely concerned that the SMGB is using an attitude towards retailers which is not only arrogant and unacceptable in a country which is a member state of the European Union, but that verges on the abusive. This SMGB Board handles the 8 million Malta Liri a year in grants offered to students by the Government.

Inspite of persistent demands by GRTU for a direct representation on the SMGB Board on behalf of participating retail outlets, a representative was never appointed to sit on the Board operating the Smart Cards. As a result the Board operates in complete disregard of retail outlets’ needs and the Board imposes unacceptable costs on retailers participating in the system.

The basis of the system as imposed without consultation by the SMGB, is in effect an increase of the price of all products purchased by students by 2%. In monitary value this equates to over Lm40,000 a year. SMGB has never consulted GRTU either on its operations or on its future operating plans.

Worse still contracts signed for a short period of time with participating retailers have in fact been extended with conditions which are worst than those originally contracted for. SMGB believe that they can impose this without hindrance as they are subject to no Public Regulator.

The SMGB Board has now announced that it is planning to introduce measures which they expect to result in a reduction in communication operating costs for both the Board and the reseller, yet the same Board is imposing a new fee on the reseller which in effect will turn the savings of the retailer towards a contribution that adds profits to the Board. It is incredible that a government nominated Board acts in a manner which is in abuse of acceptable commercial practices under EU fair Competition Regulations.

Furthermore the Board is also planning to limit Internet business payments to only one e-commerce portal managed by the same Board. This is not acceptable to GRTU. GRTU contends that e-commerce sites should be given free access to use the smart-card system immediately. A government that believes in fair competition should not invent monopolies and stifle competition.

GRTU fails to understand which Public Regulator has approved that the SMGB create a monopoly through the use of one preferred operator. GRTU sees no practical reason why a system of multiple operators competing to offer the best deal to students and resellers cannot be operated.

The GRTU furthermore insists that any equipment needed to offer a better service to Government should be paid for by the Board and not be imposed as a cost to the retailers. GRTU has information that various operators, including leading Banks, are interested to operate smart-card systems at a very low cost, or outright free of charge. This makes the SMGB imposed monopoly even more suspect.

The question comes up: why are the students paying for a service, which can be free?

And why are retailers being asked to pay for a service, which they are giving to the government?

The over Lm2million a year which are being transacted over the Smart Card system must be accessible to all retailers. Today there is no option to tap into this market except to sign the SMGB contract. The option is to stay out and lose the share of Lm2 million in business. So staying out is no option at all to the retailer. GRTU expects the Public Auditor and the Fair Competition Office to conduct a serious investigation of all SMGB operations. GRTU also expect Malta Communication Authority to view this proposed portal monopoly of SMGB.

GRTU strongly questions why the Chairman of SMGB Board refused to communicate with GRTU for months on end in spite of repeated representation by GRTU to Minister Dr Louis Galea, the Minister responsible for SMGB and then a meeting is called by the Chairman for all Smart System participating retailers to announce a development of a Scheme which not only does not address the complaints of retailers, but further adds to their burdens, stifle the choice to students, raises prices unnecessarily and benefits only the government. GRTU considers this as arrogance at its best.

Is-sitwazzjoni f’pajjizna dwar il-medicini issa trid soluzzjoni. Is-soluzzjoni mhix it-theddid kontra n-negozjanti f’dan is-settur jew li ngibu lura sistema mmuffati bhal dik tal-‘price orders’ li L-Partit NAzzjonalista l-Gvern ilu 20 sena li kkometta ruhu kontriha. Is-soluzzjoni hi ftuh tas-suq biex fil-pajjiz ikun hemm il-veru kompetizzjoni u ghazla ta prezzijiet. Il-GRTU terga ssostni li qatt mhu ser taccetta sistema ta’ “Price Orders”. Bizzejjed lid an is-settur gie mghobbi b’pizijiet u standards li jiswew hafna flus biex tattwahom.

Is-sitwazzjoni f’pajjizna dwar il-medicini issa trid soluzzjoni. Is-soluzzjoni mhix it-theddid kontra n-negozjanti f’dan is-settur jew li ngibu lura sistema mmuffati bhal dik tal-‘price orders’ li L-Partit NAzzjonalista l-Gvern ilu 20 sena li kkometta ruhu kontriha. Is-soluzzjoni hi ftuh tas-suq biex fil-pajjiz ikun hemm il-veru kompetizzjoni u ghazla ta prezzijiet. Il-GRTU terga ssostni li qatt mhu ser taccetta sistema ta’ “Price Orders”. Bizzejjed lid an is-settur gie mghobbi b’pizijiet u standards li jiswew hafna flus biex tattwahom.

Biex dan kollu jsir realta, hemm bzonn li l-Gvern jissimplifika u jaghmel hafna irhas is-sistema ta’ registrazzjoni ta’ medicini li l-Gvern dahhal kontra l-pariri esperti tal-GRTU u jaddotta sistema bhal ma ghandu l-Lussemburgu li hi aktar prattika ghall-pajjiz zghir bhal Malta. Idejalment ahna ghandna naccettaw bhala registrati minghajr hafna burokrazija zejda il-medicini kollha li hemm jinbieghu fis-suq ewropew li tieghu nifformaw parti.

Il-GRTU tistenna li kemm l-Gvern kif ukoll ir-rapprezentanza tal-EU hawn Malta jahdmu biex jitfassal ftehim serju mar-rapprezentanti kollha ta’ dan is-settur fl-ahjar interess ta’ Malta u jinjora l-pariri zbaljati ta’ nies fil-Gvern li bil-pariri taghhom gabu dan il-gwaj kollu.

Il-GRTU issostni li m’hemmx lok ghal aktar tigbid u argumenti. Is-soluzzjoni trid issehh issa qabel ma jkun tard wisq. Id-dewmien hu ta’ hsara ghal kulhadd l-aktar ghall-pazjenti li jridu l-medicini li ghandhom bzonn u mhux biss dik disponibbli taht sistema hazina u bi prezz li hu adewkat fic-cirkostanzi ta’ pajjizna.

L-isforzi tal-GRTU biex tikkonvinci lil Gvern li ma jaqbadx u johrog avvizi bla ma jqisx sewwa l-impatt fuq is-sidien tan-negozji, mhux qed jahdem sewwa. Suppost li jitkellmu mal-GRTU qabel jimponu u suppost ukoll li jfasslu pjan ta’ kif jilqghu ghal izgombru u l-ispejjez li joholqu lil haddiehor, qabel jaqbdu u jimponu fuq is-sidien tan-negozji, izda l-burokratici tal-Gvern qiesu li hadd ma jista’ ghalihom. Din qed tigri spiss u ghalhekk il-Kunsill Ezekuttiv tal-GRTU iddecieda li kull meta Dipartiment, hu min hu, jaqbad u jimponi bla konsultazzjoni, il-GRTU tohrog Direttiva lis-sidien tan-negozji biex l-Avviz li jkun hareg jinjorawh sa ma jkun hemm diskussjoni serja fejn il-burokratici jispjegaw sewwa u jimponu biss dak li jkun miftiehem jew dak li hu essenzjali

L-isforzi tal-GRTU biex tikkonvinci lil Gvern li ma jaqbadx u johrog avvizi bla ma jqisx sewwa l-impatt fuq is-sidien tan-negozji, mhux qed jahdem sewwa. Suppost li jitkellmu mal-GRTU qabel jimponu u suppost ukoll li jfasslu pjan ta’ kif jilqghu ghal izgombru u l-ispejjez li joholqu lil haddiehor, qabel jaqbdu u jimponu fuq is-sidien tan-negozji, izda l-burokratici tal-Gvern qiesu li hadd ma jista’ ghalihom. Din qed tigri spiss u ghalhekk il-Kunsill Ezekuttiv tal-GRTU iddecieda li kull meta Dipartiment, hu min hu, jaqbad u jimponi bla konsultazzjoni, il-GRTU tohrog Direttiva lis-sidien tan-negozji biex l-Avviz li jkun hareg jinjorawh sa ma jkun hemm diskussjoni serja fejn il-burokratici jispjegaw sewwa u jimponu biss dak li jkun miftiehem jew dak li hu essenzjali.

Il-GRTU qed taghti bidu ghal din l-azzjoni billi taghti Direttiva lis-sidien tan-negozji u intraprizi biex jinjoraw l-ordni tad-Dipartiment tal-VAT li jgielghuhom joqghodu jimlew il-formola gdida li ivvinta d-Dipartiment tal-VAT ghall-“Aggornament tad-Dettalji tar-Registrazzjoni/ Registration Detail Update”.

Id-Dipartiment tal-VAT ghandu l-informazzjoni kollha li qed jitlob lil kull VAT-Registered person, izda flok qabad u aggorna l-informazzjoni mid-data li ghandu diga, billi jqabbad in-nies tieghu, d-Direttur tal-VAT qed igieghel lis-sidien tan-negozji jqabbdu in-nies huma ghas-spejjez taghhom biex dawn jahdmu ghalih qiesu li n-nies tan-negozju huma xi impjegati bla hlas tal-VAT Department.

Il-GRTU qed tghid lis-sidien tan-negozji li m’ghandhom l-ebda obbligu jaghmlu dan u m’ghandhomx ghalfejn ihossuhom intimidati mit-twiddib tad-Dipartiment tal-VAT. Il-GRTU tappella lill-Ministru tal-Finanzi biex jintervjeni u jara li dan l-Avviz ikun irtirat u li d-Dipartiment tal-VAT ma jibqax jabbuza mis-sahha esagerata li ghandu taht il-ligi.

Wasal iz-zmien li l-gvern isarraf il-kliem dwar trazzin tal-burokrazija b’fatti, billi jiccensura huwa lil burokratici li jaqbdu u jimponu bla ma jsegwu l-procedura imponuta fuqhom mill-istess Prim Ministru. Il-GRTU tistenna li dan l-avviz jingabar lura.

Il-GRTU tat bidu ghal sensiela ta’ tahrig fuq Standardisation sabiex hija tharreg ahjar lis-7,000 membru li hija thaddan f’Malta u Ghawdex. Dan is-seminar gie organizzat flimkien mal-Malta Standardisation Authority u n-Normapme, l-organizzazzjoni Ewropeja tal-SMEs li ghandha x’taqsam ma’ Standardisation u li tifforma parti mil-UEAPME.

Il-GRTU tat bidu ghal sensiela ta’ tahrig fuq Standardisation sabiex hija tharreg ahjar lis-7,000 membru li hija thaddan f’Malta u Ghawdex. Dan is-seminar gie organizzat flimkien mal-Malta Standardisation Authority u n-Normapme, l-organizzazzjoni Ewropeja tal-SMEs li ghandha x’taqsam ma’ Standardisation u li tifforma parti mil-UEAPME.

Dan is-seminar il-GRTU organizzatu ghaliex temmen li johloq awareness ahjar fost il-membri taghha u li huma jistghu juzufrixxu minnu la darba certu standards kif huma mehtiega mid-direttivi Ewropew jigu ezegwiti.

Il-GRTU sostniet illi ghalkemm hija attiva fuq diversi boards sabiex tirraprezenta b’modd l-aktar effettiv lil-membri taghha, sfortunatament ta’ kuljum qieghed jidhlu regolamenti godda li mhux biss qieghed johonqu lis-sidien tal-intraprizi, izda wkoll dawn ir-regolamenti johorgu b’ebda forma ta’ tahrig fuq x’jehtieg jigi mwettaq bir-rizultat ta’ hafna spejjez zejda ghal-imprenditur lokali.

Ghalhekk illum il-GRTU qeghda tahdem biex tidentifika sorsi ta’ finanzjament mill-Unjoni Ewropeja u minn kull fejn tista, sabiex tizgura lid-dipartimenti u l-awtoritajiet tal-gvern ma jibqghux ifajru regolamenti bl-addocc biex dak li hu utli u importanti ghal gid taghna u tal-komunita li nahdmu fiha, jigi ezegwit bl-inqas tbatija u bl-inqas infiq. Ezempju car huwa l-volum kbir ta’ standards u kundizzjonijiet ohra mportanti miktuba mill-MSA. Ma jiswa xejn li jinkitbu volumi ta’ standards ghal kull qasam, mbaghad l-MSA m’ghandiex il-mezzi li tohloq korsijiet ta’ tahrig biex dak li hemm miktub fuq il-karta isir realta’ fil-prattika fuq il-post tax-xoghol.

Il-GRTU sostniet illi issa ilna sentejn fl-Unjoni Ewropeja u din il-bicca li kulhadd inizzel il-karta u jipprintja, u l-imprenditur isibhom ma’ wiccu u hadd ma jispjegalu xi jfissru u hadt ma jtih l-ghajnuna finanzjarja u l-ghajnuna biex ikun jistghu jlahhaq maghhom, trid tinqata.

Aghar minn hekk xi dipartimenti ohrajn jimponi l-istandards b’xi ligi u sid in-negozju jkun jaf biha meta jsib ma’ wiccu corma inspectors godda biex jaraw wettaqx l-ABC tar-regolamenti godda.

Il-GRTU appellat li ahjar naghmlu ftit u sewwa u tghinuna biex lis-sid tan-negozju nispjegawlu u nghinuh fil-prattika, milli naghmlu hafna u noqghodu nimpressjonaw l-Unjoni Ewropeja kemm wettaqna u kemm ahna bravi.

In-nies tal-GRTU ghajnuna mhux tfixkil iridu, imma ma jfissirx li ma jridux standards jew regolamenti, imma illi jsiru sewwa. Meta jsiru sewwa lilna dejjem issibuna maghkhom.

Illum problema kbira ohra li qieghed jaffacjaw l-SMEs hija sfortunatament in-nuqqas ta’ awareness fuq il-beneficcji ta’ standardisation. Dan hafna drabi jigri minhabba in-nuqqas ta’ rizorsi biex wiehed isegwi l-attivitajiet numeruzi u teknikament kumplessi assocjati ma’ standardization li jinkludu l-izvilupp ta’ standards, is-certification ta’ prodotti, personnel u quality systems li ghandhom x’jaqsmu mal-ambjent. Dan, pero, qieghed jirrizulta illi l-membri taghha jigu eskluzi minn opportunitajiet tad-deheb illi joffri s-suq, partikolarment is-suq il-barra mill-ibhra taghna meta klijenti potenzjali tas-suq Malti hafna drabi jiddettaw l-applikabilita’ tal-istandards, certification, sistemi ta’ quality management u processi ohrajn ta’ standardisation ghal proddotti u servizzi taghhom.

Ghaldaqstant, illum il-GRTU temmen li l-isfida taghna lkoll hija li nidentifikaw modi, permezz tas-support propju tal-awtoritajiet Maltin u organizazzjonijiet Ewropew bhan-Normapme, sabiex jigu solvuti dawn il-problemi. Dan is-Seminar ta bidu sabiex tinholoq awareness fuq is-suggett. Dan is-seminar ta harsa hafifa lejn l-ispektrum istiz ta’ standardization u iffoka fuq xi setturi specifici ta’ intraprizi li thaddan l-GRTU.

Il-kelliema ewlenija kienet is-sinjura Karine Iffour, gejja min-Normapme, organizazzjoni illi sservi sabiex tforni informazzjoni fuq l-attivitajiet kontinwi tal-istandardisation Ewropew u tal-partecipazzjoni tal-SMEs fl-izvilupp ta’ Standards godda Ewropew. Il-GRTU, bhala membru tan-Normapme kellha l-opportunita’ illi tottjeni informazzjoni prima faccia fuq l-istandardisation Ewropew li jaffetwaw l-SMEs.

Bil-kollaborazzjoni li l-GRTU ghandha mal-MSA, ghandha wkoll l-opportunita’ li tinfluwenza l-izvilupp tal-istandards biex jipprotegu l-interessi taghna. Ghaldaqstant kien hemm wkoll numru ta’ kelliema mill-MSA li spjegaw d-diversi standards u regolazjonijiet relatati li jistghu jaffetwaw lil-intraprizi, kif wkoll kif l-MSA tista’ tghati daqqa t’id fl-ezigenzi ta’ standardization.

L-Onorevoli Censu Galea, indirizza dan is-seminar fil-ftuh tieghu u sahaq li l-istandards huma krucjali fl-industrija u l-kummerc, kemm mil-lat ta’ sahha u sigurta’, kif ukoll ghall-protezzjoni tal-ambjent, u fl-ahhar mill-ahhar ghal-ekonomija ta’ pajjizna. Jekk wiehed izomm l-istandards fl-intrapriza tieghu, ikun hemm uzu efficjenti tar-rizorsi limitati u l-komunikazzjoni tkun aktar effettiva. Huwa qal illi l-gvern iqis l-istandards bhala ghodda moderna ta’ kif wiehed jista’ jnaqqas il-piz li joholqu certu regolamenti, u li fl-istess waqt huma necessarji. Minflok regolamenti imposti mil-gvern, l-intraprizi jistghu jimxu fuq standards li jiffukkaw fuq is-sahha, is-sigurta’, il-protezzjoni tal-konsumatur, u l-ambjent, bhal mhu C.E. certification.

Huwa qal illi l-Awtorita Maltija ghal-istandards applikat ghal fond tal-Kummissjoni biex jittraducu standards ghal-lingwa Maltija. B’hekk ikun iktar facli biex dawn jigu adottati mill-intraprizi z-ghar. Fl-istess waqt l-MSA qed tipprovdi ukoll Quality Management System jew ISO 9001 certification bi prezz ragjonevoli li jistghu jhallsu l-SMEs.

L-Onorevoli Edwin Vassallo qal illi standardization tfisser kwalita’, organizazzjoni u sigurta ghall-konsumaturi, kif ukoll tghinna ntejjbu l-kwalita tan-negozji taghna, kemm fl-artigjanat, fil-manifattura kif ukoll fis-servizzi. Huwa qal illi l-opportunitajiet kummercjali u industrijali zdiedu, izda wiehed irid jifhem ahjar kif jista jkun ahjar billi jimplimenta l-istandards u kif l-ahjar li jigu organizzat l-enforcement f’numru ta’oqsma meta f’pajjizna diga ghandna l-ewwel fazi ta’ learning experience.

L-Onorevoli Vassallo sostna illi n-negozji z-zghar iridu jahdmu id f’id sabiex l-enforcement officers jaghrfu li issa li n-negozji diga huma konxji ta’ xi standards li iridu jilhqu, ma jistghux jibqghu jippruvaw jaraw kif iharrku. In-negozjant ghandu jgharaf u jitkellem fejn hemm standards mahruga minn Awtoritajiet differenti li huma konflingenti ghal xulxin. Ghandu jsir aktar pooling ta’ l-enforcement ghal organizazzjoni ahjar. Min jahrab min dmirijietu rigward l-istandards, ghandu jigi ddixxiplinat permezz tal-ghaqdiet tan-negozji. Jehtieg li jigu amendati l-ligijiet biex ikunu nkluzi l-esperjenzi li ghaddejna minnhom f’dawn is-sentejn, u dawn ghandhom jiffirlettu l-proceduri u l-htigijiet ta’ min qieghed fin-negozju.

Wara dawn l-interventi s-seminar tkompla bil-presentazzjonijiet tal-MSA u tal-UEAPME. Dawn wiehed jista jkollu access ghalihom mil-website tal-GRTU, www.grtu.org.mt .

Il-GRTU tappella lil Gvern biex din il-kwistjoni tal-Low Cost Airlines jaqtaghha ghax s’issa fejn konna bqajna. M’hemm l-ebda dubju li l-problema hi l-hlas esagerat li l-awtoritajiet tal-ajruport ta’ Malta qed jiccargjaw lil linji tal-ajru li jridu jtiru lejn Malta.

Il-GRTU tappella lil Gvern biex din il-kwistjoni tal-Low Cost Airlines jaqtaghha ghax s’issa fejn konna bqajna. M’hemm l-ebda dubju li l-problema hi l-hlas esagerat li l-awtoritajiet tal-ajruport ta’ Malta qed jiccargjaw lil linji tal-ajru li jridu jtiru lejn Malta.

Hadd mhu qed jghid li ghandhom jinghataw is-sussidji lil linji tal-ajru, izda l-Gvern irid jara kif l-awtoritajiet tal-ajruport jhaddmu sistemi li jpoggu l-ajruport ta’ Malta fuq bazi verament kompetittiv. B’dan igawdu l-airlines kollha u zgur li jizdiedu n-numri ta’ linji li jkunu lesti li jgibu aktar turisti lejn Malta. Din hi l-kwistjoni kollha: Malta ghandha bzonn aktar linji tal-ajru u aktar flights irhas.

M’hemm l-ebda dubju li jekk il-Gvern mhux ser jiccaqlaq in-numru ta’ turisti li jigu Malta ser ikompli jonqos u dan meta ghan-numru ta’ negozji u stabilimenti li hawn illum in-numru ta’ turisti li qed jigu diga mhux bizzejjed.

Il-Gvern ghandu jiftah negozjati bis-serjeta ma RyanAir u mhux joqghod jitkellem maghhom bl-intermedjarji. Il-proposti taghhom li jinghataw skonti skond in-numru ta’ turisti li kull linja tal-ajru iggib lejn Malta, hi tajba. Din tinkoragixxi lil kull linja tal-ajru biex iggib turisti aktar milli qed iggib illum u tinkoragixxi linji godda li jibdew jahdmu lejn Malta. Zieda sostanzjali fin-numru ta’ turisti li jigu Malta taghti qliegh lil Maltin u lil Gvern stess hafna aktar minn kull piz ta’ kull mizura li jrid jiehu l-Gvern biex l-ajruport ta’ Malta jsir verament kompetittiv.

Il-GRTU tistenna azzjoni decisive mill-Gvern ghax it-tigbid zejjed mill-Gvern biex isib soluzzjoni holoq stat ta’ incertezza li qed iwegggha lil hafna operaturi turistici u qed jirredikola lil Malta.