Category: Archive – 2013

The
Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority has been notified of a number
of products which pose a serious risk to consumers. The below details refer: Should
your company retail, import or distribute the product in question, you are
requested to notify GRTU without delays, so necessary action is taken as soon
as possible. If you are aware of any person or company who is retailing,
importing or distributing this product, kindly notify the undersigned so as to
contact such person or company.

May
we remind you of the obligations under the General Product Safety Act that
manufacturers/ importers/ distributors of products on the market in Malta are
required to report any incidents occurring and involving products they
represent.

Notification 1: Batch number/Barcode:
18062012 Child-appealing Christmas decoration: Santa figure which expands in
height.

Dangers Details: Injuries and Choking. The
head of the figure is attached to the body with a wooden rod which has a sharp
point in the middle of the head. This rod could become exposed, leading to the
risk of a puncture wound. The product also has detachable small parts which
could pose a choking hazard. The product does not comply with the Toy Safety
Directive and with the relevant European standard EN 71-1.

Notification 2: Toy piano in a cardboard
box which is open at the front.

Dangers Details: Choking. The product poses
a risk of choking because small parts can come loose and may be put into the
mouth and swallowed by children. The product does not comply with the Toy
Safety Directive and with the relevant European standard EN 71-1.

Notification 3: Batch number/Barcode:
6905321002433 Musical, rotating plastic toy to be hung above a crib or a cot,
consisting of 4 rattles resembling butterflies, bees and bugs, with a wind-up
rotating mechanism that emits sounds,. Packaging: cardboard box with
transparent plastic window. Instructions, information and warnings are on the
packaging.

Dangers Details: Choking. The product poses
a risk of choking because the toy may easily break releasing small parts which
could be swallowed by children. The product does not comply with the Toy Safety
Directive and the relevant European standard EN 71-1.

Notification 4: Toy aeroplane in a
cardboard box.

Dangers Details: Choking. The product poses
a risk of choking because small parts can come loose and may be put into the
mouth and swallowed by children. The product does not comply with the Toy
Safety Directive and with the relevant European standard EN 71-1.

Notification 5: Chocolate egg with toy
surprise, 50g, Best before: 25.01.2013

Dangers Details: Choking. The product poses
a risk of choking because a separable part of the capsule containing the toy is
too small and it could be swallowed by children. The product does not comply
with the Toys Directive and with the relevant European standard EN 71.

Notification 6: Batch
number/Barcode:5203359375026

Orange
tiger costume for children aged 1-3, supplied on a hanger in a plastic bag.

Dangers Details: Injuries, Strangulation
and Suffocation. The product poses the risk of:

–
Injuries due to the presence of small parts that can easily become detached and
may be swallowed or inhaled by children;

–
Strangulation, due to the presence of a fixed noose (cord securing the hood)
which is too long. The noose is formed of the adjustable cord securing the
hood;

–
Risk of suffocation because the toy comes in a plastic bag (the one containing
the hood) made of impermeable material which is not thick enough and may cause
obstruction of the airway from the mouth and nose.

The
product does not comply with the Toy Safety Directive and the relevant European
standard EN 71-1.

Notification 7: Batch number/Barcode:
5203359129186 Little bee costume for children aged 12-18 months, supplied on a
hanger in plastic bag (yellow and black).

Dangers Details: Injuries, Strangulation
and Suffocation. The product poses the risk of:

–
Injuries due to the presence of sharp elements: the wire yarn representing
antenna on the hood of the costume does not withstand the required bending;

–
Strangulation due to the presence of a fixed ring (attached to the hood) which
is too long;

–
Suffocation due to the presence of an impermeable plastic bag (the bag
containing the hood) which is not thick enough and may cause obstruction of the
airway from the mouth and nose.

The
product does not comply with the Toy Safety Directive and the relevant European
standard EN 71-1.

Notification 8: Batch number/Barcode:
4016096112684 Rag doll with beige-coloured hair, brown trousers, blue, yellow
and white striped T-shirt, and blue and white shoes.

Dangers Details: Chemical. The product
poses a chemical risk because the yellow colour in the doll's hair contains azo
dyes (aminoazobenzene) in a concentration up to 156 mg/kg, which exceeds the
limit of 30 mg/kg. The product does not comply with REACH.

GRTU President Paul Abela and EU Desk Coordinator
Abigail Mamo have attended a seminar organised by MEUSAC in conjunction with
the Irish presidency. Ireland has at the beginning of this year taken over the
Presidency of the Council of the European Union opening the first part of a
trio presidency followed by Lithuania in July and later by Greece. This is the
7th presidency for Ireland since it joined the EU in 1973. Ireland plans to
have 1600 meeting chaired by the presidency, these only counting the official
visits.

During the seminar it was emphasized that bilateral
collaboration between Malta and Ireland have never been so strong and close.
Malta will also have the Presidency in the first half of 2017, in 4 years time,
and Ireland has already offered its support to Malta for this preparation.

Paul Abela intervened saying that the percentage of
SMEs in Malta is very high and as an organization representing SMEs we strive
to have Government adopt a package of incentives tailor made for our SMEs.
Today we have a good number of incentives in place and we call on the Irish
Presidency to back and encourage such incentives. Mr Abela also said that the
‘one size fits all' must be questioned at all legislative stages and the irish
Presidency must champion the ‘Think Small First principle'.

In reply the Irish Ambassador sympathised with the
GRTU president saying that Irish companies are all very small and therefore
small is in their DNA therefore and they are therefore naturally inclined to
understand the importance of SME activity. He continued saying that SME are
vital in their thinking and they will during the Presidency focus on finance
mechanisms through COSME and better regulation.

The Irish Presidency can be summed up in a simple
phrase "Stability, jobs and growth".

Securing stability

Banking Union: The imperative to break the link
between banks and sovereigns was unanimously agreed by European leaders. The Presidency will push for agreement on the
Banking Union proposals including the first important step of adopting the
Single Supervisory Mechanism, which will open up the way for the ESM to
directly re-capitalize banks, starting in 2014.
Further steps on deposit guarantees and resolution mechanisms will
follow.

European Semester: Effective management of the
EU's new system of budgetary and economic coordination, the "European
Semester", will be an important focus of the Irish Presidency. This will ensure better coordination and
management of our economies.

"Two-Pack": The "Two-Pack" aims to further
enhance the co-ordination and surveillance for the budgetary processes for the
euro area. Ireland will work to secure agreement on the negotiations now at
their last stage in the EP.

Financial Services: The Presidency will manage
the busy financial services agenda. In particular there will be a focus on
reaching agreement on the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive and
Regulation (MiFID/MiFIR) which seeks to harmonise access to and activity of
investment firms. Ireland will also make progress on other dossiers in the
consumer area, including the Mortgage Credit Directive.

MFF: The Presidency will support President Van
Rompuy in reaching agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). Once Council agreement is secured on the
overall MFF, the Presidency will seek to secure the consent of the European Parliament.
In parallel Ireland will lead negotiations on almost 70 legislative measures
which will deploy the MFF (eg Horizon 2020, CAP, and Cohesion).

Ensuring
the conditions for job creation and sustainable growth

Youth Unemployment: The Presidency will work to
advance proposals to help turn the tide on youth joblessness. The Youth
Employment Package includes a "Youth Guarantee" aimed at setting principles to
help ensure that young people who are not working or studying, receive an offer
of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship. The
Presidency aims to make significant progress on the Youth Guarantee. The issue
of youth unemployment will be the main focus at the Informal Ministerial
meeting of Employment and Social Affairs Ministers in Dublin in February 2013.

Labour Mobility: The Presidency will work to
remove obstacles in the way of worker mobility. This includes reaching a First
Reading Agreement on the rules for the Posting of Workers. Ireland will also
work to reach a General Approach in June on the Supplementary Pensions Rights
Directive. In addition the Presidency will work to progress legislation to
strengthen the supports to mobile workers.

Professional Qualifications: The Presidency
will work to achieve agreement on the Proposal on the Recognition
ofProfessional Qualifications in order to facilitate greater labour mobility
for skilled workers.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): SMEs are
the key driver of jobs and growth in Europe. The Presidency will host an informal
meeting of Competitiveness Ministers in May on the theme of "SMEs as a driver
of European Growth". The Presidency is seeking to secure agreement on
the Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs (COSME) which
aims to provide targeted support for the sector. In addition the Presidency
will promote the Smart Regulation agenda as well as the Company Law
(Accounting) Directive which will reduce the administrative burden on
microenterprises and SMEs.

Single Market: The Single Market has been one
of the EU's greatest success stories. 500 million consumers need a fully
functioning and open single market.
Ireland will work to further unlock that great potentialthrough
completing the dossiers that remain open under the Single Market Act I
(professional qualifications, labour mobility, accounting, auditing measures,
intellectual property measures including copy-right, trade market regulations,
public procurement directives, product safety and market surveillance). We will prioritise progress on actions in the
Single Market Act II as they are published by the Commission.

Digital Single Market: Only by embracing the
digital revolution can the EU hope to compete globally in the 21st century.
Growth in the digital economy will promote cross-border commerce and improve
competitiveness, delivering long-term advantages for business and consumers
alike. The focus of the Presidency will be on measures that support the digital
economy. These measures range from legislation on intellectual property rights,
cyber security, e-signatures Identification to high-speed broadband rollout and
web accessibility.

Data Protection: As part of its focus on the
Digital Agenda, the Presidency will work to reach agreement in the Council on
key aspects of the Data Protection package. Progress made by the Presidency in
this area will strengthen confidence in the digital economy and support the
growth of the Digital Single Market.

Horizon 2020: In the context of overall
agreement on the MFF, the Presidency is aiming for agreement on Horizon 2020,
the EU framework programme for research and innovation.

Trade: Europe's recovery cannot happen in
isolation. Ireland will prioritise trade agreements with key partners and work
towards opening new markets and creating new opportunities for enterprise,
leading to more jobs and growth. The Presidency will place a special focus on
the EU-US trade relationship, with the aim of working towards a formal Council
mandate for the start of negotiations on a new comprehensive EU-US Free Trade
and Investment Agreement

Public Procurement: Public authorities across
the EU spend approximately €2 trillion per annum on the procurement of goods,
services and works. Revised public procurement proposals aim to increase
theefficiency of public spending to ensure the best procurement outcomes in
terms of value for money, by making the existing rules more simple, flexible
and user-friendly. The Presidency will work towards securing agreement with the
European Parliament on the proposals.

Intellectual Property (IP): IP is the
cornerstone of any competitive modern economy, especially in today's global
market. The Irish Presidency will seek maximum progress on copyright,
trademarks and patents.

Connecting Europe Facility (CEF): Sustainable
and interconnected transport, energy and digital networks are priorities for
Europe's social and economic development. The CEF will determine how the
Union's resources will be invested across transport, energy and telecommunications/digital
infrastructures. The Presidency will prioritise the CEF and also a number of
the individual proposals which will make connecting Europe a reality.

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): The proposed
reform of the CAP will be of central importance in shaping the future
development of the agriculture and food sector in Europe. CAP reform can also
make an important contribution to delivering smart, sustainable and inclusive
growth in Europe. The agriculture sector is of critical importance to the EU and
the Presidency will place a very strong emphasis on securing agreement on CAP
reform.

Common Fisheries Policy (CFP): Ireland attaches
great importance to a sustainable fisheries policy for Europe. A reformed CFP
can contribute greatly to sustainability through better management of fish
stocks, ensuring that the EU's waters are protected for future generations. The
Presidency will work to reach agreement with the European Parliament on the CFP
reform package.

Integrated Maritime Policy: As an island nation,
Ireland attaches strong importance to maritime issues and the potential for
growth in a diverse range of areas including sustainable fisheries, marine
transport, renewable energy, biotechnology, mineral seabed exploration, tourism
and regional development. The Irish Presidency will build on the development of
an EU integrated Maritime Policy (IMP). The Presidency will work to advance the
proposal on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) which aims to balance the interests
of different sectors to ensure efficient and sustainable use of Member States'
precious marine resources. It will work to advance the implementation of the
"Blue Growth" initiative. Ireland also looks forward to making progress on the
endorsement of an action plan for the Atlantic Strategy to further consolidate
and develop work in this area.

7th Environment Action Programme (EAP): The
proposed 7th EAP sets out the priority objectives for EU environment policy for
the next ten years, grounded in an ambitious vision for an inclusive, green and
competitive European economy that safeguards the environment. The Presidency
considers the 7th EAP to be of critical importance for Europe's future, and
will work to finalise agreement with the European Parliament.

GRTU President Paul Abela and Director General Vincent
Farrugia have this morning participates at a MEUSAC Core Group meeting which
was addressed by the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs
Tonio Borg.

In his intervention Mr Farrugia made reference to the
Commission Document on the State of Single Market Integration 2013 –
Contribution to the Annual Growth Survey 2013. He quoted saying that the degree
of integration of services in almost all the Member States was lower than that
of other sectors and that small economies were more open to such integration
when compares to larger economies.

Mr Farrugia also commented on the importance of
ensuring fair trade. We oppose unfair trading practices. The EU must balance
the need to protect fair trade conditions, if necessary through trade defence
instruments, with the needs of importers, retailers and consumers, all of whom
can suffer heavily from costly and unpredictable trade defence action. Europe
pays a high price for current antidumping, countervailing and safeguard measures.
Commissioner Borg approved of this argument but said that he felt we should
steer away of legislative measures and that the European Commission is
currently working on a Green Paper to address this specific issue.

Social partners and the heads of all three political
parties have this week signed a declaration of intent towards pursuing active
labour market policies as outlined by UHM's Jobs+ policy report. The report notes that just 0.15 per cent of Malta's GDP
is currently spent on policies aimed at expanding the workforce and ensuring
workers are highly skilled and employable.

It is predicted that new graduates, new women workers
and an increase in those carrying on their work beyond their pensionable age
would mean 25,000 new jobs would be needed over the next five years.

GRTU President Paul Abela emphasized that MCESD 
cannot act as a goal post where social partners are there to catch whatever
Government throws at them and react. MCESD is capable for much more, MCESD can
be proactive and place suggestions on the table itself.

UHM
had already met with GRTU during which meeting GRTU showed its support to the
UHM proposal.

Since Lotto Receivers joined GRTU in September 2012,
GRTU and the Lotto Receivers Union (LRU) have striven against all odds to make
sure that operations continue undeterred day in, day out. Dealing with Maltco is not an easy piece of cake, and
although finally agreement was reached it took a lot of synergies to make his
happen.

Saying this Lotto Receivers need to wake up to the
stark realities of 2013. We are in a world that operates 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, and like many businesses out there, need to compete and sell. One
might ask but does Maltco have competition? Of course it does, consumers decide
where to spend their available income, so choices are made. But without fail,
providing better services, longer hours of service in decent Maltco sales
outlets should be a priority for both Lotto Receivers under Maltco's
supervision.

Maltco's introduction of the National Lottery should
bolster sales to Lotto Receivers. Whilst many Lotto operators are committed to
providing a very good service, others do need to pull up their sleeves to
provide at least the agreed 30hours of service.                             

Maltco should also take note of where it decides to
provide allocations of new outlets. It really does not hold water if a Lotto
Receiver invested money to open a Maltco outlet (80square metres) and now
Maltco decides to provide an operational licence to someone else, 500 metres
away, with merely 25 square space. Whilst the prerogative of running one's
business lies with the company, Lotto receivers should be looked at as
emanating from the other side of the fence.

Good relations between Maltco and Lotto Receivers
remain an essential loop in order to make a success story out of this
partnership in the coming nine years.

Maltco need to make sure that the Lotto Receivers`
dignity remains intact. Now that by close of business today, all instructions
would be in place, GRTU hopes that the past few months of laborious discussions
now start to reap fruit.

Lotto Receivers have a livelihood which needs to be
protected. However the onus lies on Maltco to continue to work incessantly to
build a better relationship with all stakeholders. Maltco also need to abide to
their corporate social responsibilities including those relating to packaging
waste amongst others.

Whilst they place a massive amount of recyclables on
the market, they also place packaging waste and they are obliged to comply with
Legal Notice 277 of 2006.

GRTU and the LRU (Lotto Receivers Union) truly hope
that an agreement reached earlier this week with the intervention of the
Minister for Finance, the Economy and Investments (MFEI), Dr.Tonio Fenech, will
be the basis of a better future for every stakeholder. While the past has
provided a lot of experience we need to work on the future. Maltco should
strive harder to obtain more revenues for themselves and the Lotto Receivers.
We need to leave the past behind us… That is history.

A very important meeting was held this week where GRTU
and MEPA held a reaching out exercise for GRTU members to have direct access to
MEPA and hear their complaints, problems and suggestions related to this
Authority. President Paul Abela stated that MEPA is very important
for business as many enterprises at one point or another or sometimes on
multiple occasions have to deal with MEPA and many times they depend on MEPA to
operate or proceed with their plans.

MEPA CEO Ian Stafrace stated that since the Reform MEPA
has undergone drastic changes and has worked hard to set and meet deadlines,
become more responsive and sensitive to the needs of businesses and most of all
to be more accessible and communicate better. This is why he welcomed this
opportunity to meet GRTU members directly as many times important improvements
can be made through better knowledge of the sectors they deal with and learning
from communication. With increased knowledge MEPA aims to become more
proactive.

The issue that was first presented from GRTU Members concerned
petrol stations. Many petrol stations have had pending applications with MEPA
for several years now in order to relocate to a new kerb-side pump. It was
requested that MEPA would give priority to the issue in order to have it
settled. MEPA CEO replied by saying that they are aware of the issue and this
is the case that even the quarries are encountering. Mr Stafrace continued
saying that at first such applications were few and no specific policy was
needed but later it developed into a trend and they were caught up in a policy
vacuum and they did not want to proceed before they had the adequate policy
framework. In addition to this now there are so many applications that it has
now become an administrative problem. The CEO also acknowledged that however
the issue has dragged for very long and will be addressed, such a delay is not
only not acceptable for the commercial sector but is also not acceptable for
MEPA. Paul Abela suggested that the distinctions between the petrol stations
should be eliminated and we should gather them all and treat them as one group.

GRTU Council Member representing the agriculture sector
Stephen Galea said that the agriculture sector has a lot of problems when it
comes to MEPA. He questioned the fact that MEPA worked with the timeframes
it stated as he himself had a bad experience. He also said that he knew of
other cases where a farmer for example had to wait one year before he could go
ahead to be able to cover his water reservoir, something that is positive and
not very complicated. They are already at a disadvantage because they are in
ODZ areas and then full time farmers are only given up to 40sqm for a store. He
said that this is an impossible situation for a full time farmer but at the
same time he understood that there are environmental and visual implications
and therefore he proposed that they would be given the option to expand
underground. Stephen continued by questioning why MEPA's permit application fees
were so high, was this to discourage applications? He said that especially for
farmers these were just too prohibitive and he doubted how many applications
were received by MEPA for example to apply for a green house.

He commented that he already heard that the new Board
Chair was a staunch environmentalist and he stated that the approach must be a
balanced one and consider also the point of view of the farmer. He said that he
welcomed the works expressed by the CEO very much but MEPA needs to communicate
this approach better and show it through actions. The MEPA Chairman stated that
he is very familiar with the genuine problems faced by MEPA as in the past he
was closely involved in the farmers` cooperative and he has close contacts till
today. The issue concerning size was realistic and MEPA has already carried out
work in this regard. Regarding the delays he said that a distinction must be
made before the reform and after the reform. He believes that since the reform
in January 2011 MEPA has kept 100% to its promises but there are older
applications that are still in the system. On the application rates he said
that it could be that following this meeting the application rates for certain
sectors would be revised but that would have to be discussed with the Ministry.
The Chairman also called for the backing of the Agriculture department. He said
that it would be ideal if the Agriculture department had a dedicated section
that would analyse agriculture related applications and even guide MEPA as to
the importance of having them approved with their backing, if need be even by
over ruling certain policies.

Mr Abela stated that many sectors have to deal with
different Government departments and it takes very long to get the papers and
approvals from all these departments. He therefore suggested that all
stakeholders involved should come together and form a one stop shop.

There were also a number of other issues that arose
amongst which a member explained his case that because of an accident on the
area sittings took very long and came to cost him a lot of money and in the
meantime he lost his permits. Due to the fact that the permits were lost, even
though he owns an area today he has had to rent another area. MEPA CEO
sympathized very much with this individual and stated that this case is very
worrying and a solution needs to be found and that MEPA will meet him to
discuss his situation.

Other issues were raised. On areas of containment MEPA
said that there were many open areas that required a structural plan revision.

The issue of eco-contribution and waste packaging was
also mentioned on which MEPA said that it worked closely with GRTU in order to
ensure a fair playing field is established. MEPA CEO said that those that evade
will always be present but he said that Government has organized a committee
for all enforcement Government Authorities to come together to pool resources
and enhance their enforcement efforts.

Mario Debono, GRTU Council Member who represents GRTU on
MEPA Users' Committee, spoke about the need for MEPA not to be too restrictive.
He asked how, for example, MEPA would itself make proposals for new marinas,
which are needed to enhance tourism. He mentioned the marina in Kalkara that
was protected by a floating breakwater instead of fixed, resulting in much less
protection for boats inside the marina. He also mentioned that there should
have also been the construction of a breakwater at Tigne Point.

Mr Debono also delved into the Floor Area Ratio policy.
He asked how MEPA had this policy but was not actuating it. This was not right.
If anything, MEPA should be clear about this policy, or else replace it with a
new Design Guidance Policy, where good design and open spaces not developed are
rewarded with extra floors.

MEPA CEO mentioned that he would like communication to
improve to have feedback from the sector especially when MEPA issues
consultation documents. He said that with consultation policies can only
improve but feedback received was very few. Dr Stafrace said that currently for
instance there is an important consultation related to when an establishment
wants to apply for change of use. Paul Abela informed MEPA that GRTU has a very
effective publication, the GRTU newSTRING, which MEPA can also use as a
communication tool.

Another GRTU Council Member Saviour Vella who represents
cargo hauliers put forward a complaint on Cites saying that cargo hauliers and
importers were experiencing difficulties because of the limited opening hours
of the Cites office that falls under MEPA. Currently the Cites office opens
only for three days a week for a few hours each time. This was holding up goods
and requested that Cites opens more frequently and for longer hours. GRTU also
mentioned the importance of confidentiality when reports are sent to MEPA and
the MEPA Chairmen assured that MEPA already has a strict confidentiality
policy.

The
meeting was concluded and those present were offered the opportunity to meet
MEPA privately on their individual cases. Members having problems and wishing
to discuss issues with MEPA should contact GRTU.

Din hi l-erba' u sittin Laqgha Generali tal-GRTU. Twaqqafna meta Malta kienet fqira u hierga minn Gwerra Dinjija li kissret lill-pajjizna. Wara l-gwerra twaqqfu l-ghaqdiet tal-haddiema ghax il-haddiem kellu bzonn min jaqbez ghalih bil-kbir. Is-Self-Employed u s-sidien tan-negozji iz-zghar wiegbu billi waqqfu il-GRTU.

Il-GRTU sa mill-holqien taghha dejjem kienet ghaqda li mhux biss hi assoccjazzjoni ta' kummercjanti, izda ukoll Union li tiddefendi u timmilita favur l-interessi tas-Self-Employed kollha u tas-sidien tan-negozji izda ukoll ghalkemm mhux partiggjana il-GRTU kienet dejjem forza politika.

Iva, kull fejn rajna li kellna bzonn niehdu azzjoni, anke ta' natura politika fl-interss ta' pajjizna u fl-interess tal-kummercjanti u tal-ekonomija hielsa u tad-demokrazija ahna mhux talli ma qadnix lura, talli konna minn ta' quddiem nett. Il-GRTU matul dawn is-snin kollha li ilha imwaqqfa hadmet mal-Gvernijiet kollha Laburisti ta' Boffa, il-koalizzjoni ta' Boffa u Borg Olivier, il-Gvern ta' Mintoff, Gvern Kolonjali, Gvern ta' Borg Olivier, ta' Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, ta' Fenech Adami, ta' Sant u ta' Gonzi. L-Ebda Gvern qatt ma bezza lill-GRTU. Hdimna ma' kulhadd u l-ebda bidla ma gerxitna. U nibqghu nahdmu ma' kulhadd u nibqghu niddeciedu ahna meta jkun hemm bzonn li nintervjenu u niehdu ukoll azzjoni politika bhal ma ghamilna meta Malta issieltet il-kolonjalizmu, issieltet ghal helsien ta' pajjizna, issieltet ghal helsien kummercjali u ghall-ekonomija hielsa u kontra kull direzzjoni ekonomika ta' impozizzjoni u ta' restrizzjoni, u bhal ma hdimna appertament biex Malta hadet postha bhala membru kburi tal-Unjoni Ewrpoeja u parti integrali mill-Unjoni Monetarja Ewropeja. Jekk Malta xi darba jkollha il-helsien taghha mhedded jew jekk xi darba terga' tqum il-kwistjoni tal-helsien kummercjali ahna ma niddejjqux nergghu nohorgu fuq quddiem nett. Illum izda ghall-grazzja t'Alla u bil-hidma li verament ghozzew il-liberta' Malta taghmel parti minn Unjoni li hi l-akbar salvagwardja tad-demokrazija u l-liberta' tad-drittijiet fundamentali tal-bniedem u il-liberta' kummercjali.

Id-Demokrazija u l-helsien kummercjali garantit bis-shubijja fl-Unjoni Ewropeja. Hrigna ghonqna kontra l-kolonjalizmu, hrigna ghonqna favur l-indipendenza ta' pajjizna u frahna bir-Repubblika u iccelebrajna bil-kbir meta pajjizna inghaqad mal-Unjoni Ewropeja u meta dhalna fl-Ewro. Qatt ma hallejna l-hadd jiddomina u dejjem zammejna messagg u fidi wahda. Ahna nemmnu fil-liberta' tal-kummerc. Nemmnu f'ekonomija libera. Ghalhekk ikkumbattejna kontra l-impozizzjoni kontra ir-regim li honoq il-liberta' kummercjali u kontra min ried icahhadna mill-garanzija ta' kummerc hieles fi hdan Unjoni Ewropeja li temmen fid-demokrazija u fi principji ta' kummerc hieles u hi ghadu tad-dittatura u tar-restrizzjoni tal-kompetizzjoni u kontra kull tip ta' impozizzjoni mhux demokratika u anti-kompettitiva'. Illum Malta qatt ma kienet tant hielsa u tant imharrsa. Ahna biex pajjizna jibqa' jgawdi l-helsien u d-demokrzija naghmlu kollox.

Ahna ghandha fiducja li l-lezzjonijiet tal-passat tghallimnihom bhal ma nittamaw li tghallimhom kulhadd. L-Unjoni Ewropeja mhux avventura izda att ta' fidi. Ahna iddecidejna li pajjiz zghir bhal taghna hu aktar b'sahhtu u aktar mhares u sigur meta jaghmel parti minn familja ta' pajjizi li bhalna jemmnu li l-liberta', s-sigurta' u d-demokrazija jigu qabel kollox.

Id-Demokrazija hi omm l-opportunitajiet indaqs u omm l-kummerc hieles. Ghalhekk ma bzajniex mhux biss li inkunu parti tal-Unjoni Ewropeja imma wkoll li nifthu l-ekonomija taghna, li noffru is-suq zghir taghna biex nirbhu is-suq akbar ta' 500 miljun konsumatur. Ghalhekk hdimna spalla ma' spalla mal-Gvern biex f'Malta jiddahhlu standards, regolari finanzjarji ewropej u sistema' tar-regoli u direttivi li jsahhu il-kompetizzjoni, is-suq hieles li jissalvagwardjaw is-suq kbir simbolu ewropew halli l-imprendituri taghna jkunu jistghu jsiru imprendituri ewropej u ma jibqghux iharrsu biss lejn is-suq ckejken taghna imma jitghallmu jimirhu fi swieq akbar. Ghalhekk li ahna fil-proposti taghna lill-Partiti nenfassizaw hafna aktar tahrig tas-Self-Employed, tas-sidien tan-negozji u l-haddiema taghhom ukoll dejjem nirsistu ghal u nipproponu, skemi, wahda wara l-ohra biex is-sidien tan-negozji iz-zghar li f'Malta jirraprezentaw 95% tal-intraprizi kollha juppgrejdjaw u jghollu il-livelli ta' skills taghhom halli mhux biss ikunu aktar efficjenti f' Malta u jaghtu servizz ahjar lill-konsumaturi f'Malata imma jkunu f'pozizzjoni li jimirhu ukoll u jgawdu mis-suq kbir ewropew. Hu b'hekk biss li n-negozji taghna jistghu jikbru u jghaddu ghall-generazzjonijiet ohra.

Ahna minn ta' quddiem nett bhala ghaqda nazzjonali ta' imprendituri Maltin li qed nahdmu bla waqfien fuq livell ewropew permezz tar-raprezentazzjonijiet taghna fil-European Economic & Social Committee fejn id-Direttur Generali taghna Vince Farrugia mhux biss huwa membru imma huwa ukoll membru tal-Bureau tal-Employers Ewropew u illum huwa persuna ta' certa influwenza u stima  kemm fil-European Social Fund Committee kif ukoll mal-Kummissjoni Ewropeja u mal-organizzazzjonijiet Ewropej li maghhom il-GRTU hija affiljata u fihom il-GRTU hi membru attiv u rispettat bhal il-UEAPME – il-federazzjoni Ewropeja tal-intraprizi zghar u tal-artegjanat u il-Euro Commerce – il-front ta' kummercjanti u Retailers u Traders Ewropej. Il-GRTU permezz tal-President Paul Abela taghmel parti u tippartecipa fil-European Social Fund Committee. Ghall-GRTU hu ta' prestiggju mmens li ahna nominati f'isem l-Employers Maltin mill-Gvern Malti bhala membri ta' dawn l-istituzzjonijiet importanti Ewropej. Fuq front Ewropew permezz tad-Direttur Generali il-GRTU hi ghaqda ewlenija li tahdem u tirsisti biex is-suq komuni Ewropej jitnehhewlu l-ixkiel li baqaghlu halli l-intraprizi zghar minn pajjiz zghir bhal Malta jkunu jistghu jikkompetu u jgawdu bla xkiel zejjed ta' taxxi, licenzji u burokraziji il-vantaggi enormi li joffri suq wiehed ta' 500 miljun konsumatur. Irridu li l-Ewropa tkompli tghaqqadna. Hu ghalhekk li ahna kontra kull min irid ifixkel biex Malta ma tintegrax aktar mal-Ewropa.

Ahna qed nahdmu fuq livell Ewropew biex ikun hawn Budget kbir bizejjed ghas-snin 2014-2020 biex l-Ewropa tkun verament ta' support ghall-aktar integrazzjoni kemm ekonomika kif ukoll f'oqsma bhall-energija. Pajjizi zghar, specjalment dawk li huma energy islands ghax maqtughin mill-Kontinent, bhal ma hi Malta, u jridu kollox mill-vapuri u mill-fuels importati ghaliex m'ghandhomx rizorsi taghhom stess, u ghalhekk bilfors li jrid ikollhom is-sahha tal-fondi Ewropej biex jinhellsu mill-inzularita' tal-energija. Dan bilfors ifisser li l-energy islands bhal Malta iridu investiment qawwi fl-interconnectors u f'gas pipelines li jghaqqduhom mal-kumplament tal-Kontinent. Dwar dan ejja ma noghqodux nargumentaw l-inzularita' tal-energija ghal pajjizna hi theddida ekonomika li nehlisu minnha biss jekk nuzufruttaw is-shubija taghna fl-Unjoni Ewropeja ikollna kemm ikollna power stations f' Malta  in-nefqa ghalina tibqa' dejjem enormi  u il-kapacita' taghna dejjem tiddependi mill-importazzjoni tal-materja prima ahna pajjiz zghir wisq biex ir-rizorsi taghna naghmluhom f'xoghol li nistghu ingibuh lest u nikkoncentraw minflok fuq xoghol ta' value added biex inkabbru l-ekonomija. Fornitura ta' energija sigura u kostanti hi l-akbar garanzija ta' aktar investiment u aktar xoghol.

Fl-Ewropa qed issir hafna xoghol biex il-cost tal-Energija kemm jista' ikun ekwu fil-pajjizi kollha imsiehba fl-Unjoni biex l-intraprizi Ewropej ikunu jistghu verament jikkompetu ras imb' ras. Ghalhekk ahna ghandha inkunu parti minn din il-politika immirata biex teliminha l-energy islands. Il-GRTU lill-Partiti Politici ghamlitilhom il-proposti tal-membri taghha u ghalhekk ahna ma irridux bl-ebda mod nidhlu fil-hafna argumenti dwar il-proposti diversi li qed jidrhu jiddominaw il-kampanja elettorali ta' bhalissa. Ahna irridu produzzjoni ta' energija lokali attiva li tinkludi ukoll proporzjon akbar ta' sorsi godda u alternattivi u ukoll kapacita' ohra  ta' riserva li tintuza biss f'kaz ta' bzonn biex ittina  certu stabbilita' imma nippreferu illi nuzufruttaw bil-kbir l-investimenti kbar f'kull tip ta' energija li qed isiru fil-kumplament tal-Ewropa. Ahna ma nistghu qatt nikkompetu ras imb'ras jekk il-piz tal-elettriku jew l-energija f'kull prodott jew servizz li nipprovdu jkun bhala proporzjon ghola minn ta' haddiehor fl-istess Ewropa.

Il-GRTU tinkwieta meta tara il-credit agencies inaqqsu ir-ratings ta' Malta u ghalhekk li jien nappella bil-kbir lill-Politici kollha biex jaghtu kas hafna ta' dak li jghidu ghax illum zgur Malta m'ghadiex information island. Illum kull ma jinghad f'Malta jigi interpretat barra u sfortunamtament mhux dejjem il-percessjoni tal-barranin tkun tirrifletti l-attwalita' ta' x'inhu jigri fl-ekonomija Maltija. Ahna l-ekonomija Maltija nghixu fiha u nahdmuha u nafu ukoll x'inhu jigri f'pajjizi ohra. Ahna kburin li ahna Maltin u ahna kbrin immens li nirraprezentaw lill-investituri u intraprizi Maltin. Malta ghamlet passi kbar f'kull qasam iddiversifikajna f'oqsma godda bis-sahha ta' investimenti kbar provati u inzzjattivi mill-Gvern u mill-korpi statali bhal Malta Enterprise, Finance Malta , l-MFSA u id-dirigenti tal-portijiet taghna u  ejja ilkoll inkunu kburin b'dak kollu li akkwistajna, dan hu frott tal-Maltin, frott ta' Gvern u tal-imprendituri Maltin u frott tal tal-kapacitajiet tal-haddiema Maltin, id-dibatittu politiku ghandu jiffoka fuq kif se inkabbru u intejjbu it-tajjeb kollu li ghanda. In-negozju tan-nies taghna jista' jghaddi minn zminijiet difficli u jista' wkoll jghaddi min zminijiet relattivament tajbin bhal ma kien b'mod generali matul l-ahhar ghoxrin sena u b'mod partikolari kemm ilna fl-Unjoni Ewropeja fejn in-negozju, kwalita' ta' hajja u standards generali ta' pajjizna marru il-quddiem hafna aktar minn qatt qabel. Il-GRTU hu ghalhekk li thares il-quddiem b'fiducja kbira.

Il-Futur ghalina irid ikun dejjem ibbazat fuq is-sigurta' nazzjonali u il-helsien fid-demokrazija. L-ghajta taghna trid tibqa' dejjem favur min itina l-aktar din il-garanzija.

Jien nixtieq nawgura lilkom u lill-familji taghkom sena 2013 ahjar mis-snin ta' qabel. Nispera li sena ohra niltaqghu ghal 65 anniversarju b'fiducja li l-futur hu garantit.

Illum fil-GRTU inzammet l-erbgha u sittin Laqgha Generali Annwali tal-GRTU. Fil-Laqgha gew approvati l-kunsilliera li se jifformaw l-Kunsill Ezekuttiv ghas-sena 2013, l-membri huma dawn:

Abela Paul, Azzopardi Emanuel, Borg Maurice, Camilleri Sergio, Cutajar Patrick, Debono Mario, Desira Emanuel, Fenech Azzopardi Therese, Fenech Philip, Galea Michael, Galea Stephen, Gauci Noel, Haber Joan, Mizzi Frans, Mizzi Marcel, Vella Josette, Vella Salvu, Zerafa Joseph. Id-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia u Chief Executive Officer ta' Green MT Joe Attard huma membri ex-officio.

Fil-Laqgha d-Direttur Generali ta rendikont fid-dettal tax-xoghol li ghamlet il-GRTU fl-2012. Id-Direttur Generali spjega li l-istruttura tal-GRTU ghaddiet minn riformi kbar biex illum ix-xoghol ewlieni jinqasam f'6 direttorati. L-Ufficcju li jiehu hsieb l-amministrazzjoni, l-Ufficcju li jiehu hsieb l-issues kollha li jqumu fuq livell tal-lokalitajiet b'responsabbilita' mill-Kunsilli Lokali, l-Ufficcju li jiehu hsieb il-membership, l-Ufficcju li jiehu hsieb il-kwistjonijiet kollha relatati mal-Unjoni Ewropeja u issues ta' natura ekonomika, l-Ufficcju legali li jiehu hsieb jaghti pariri legali lill-membri u lill-Kumitat tas-sezzjonijiet u kif ukoll lill-Kunsill Ezekkuttiv u jikkumenta fuq dokumenti ta' natura legali u enforcements u l-Ufficcju importanti li jiehu hsieb l-affarijiet ambjentali u issues ta' Renewable Energy u direttivi u pjanijiet ta' natura ambjentali u jiehu hsieb it-tmexxija kummercjali ta' Green MT.

"lx-xoghol li taghmel il-GRTU fuq livell lokali u Ewropew huwa rikonoxxut mhux biss mill-imsiehba imma wkoll minn dawk kollha li jersqu lejn il-GRTU specjalment entitajiet pubblici u nies fil-Kummerc. L-Istess ghax-xoghol uniku li taghmel il-GRTU fuq livell ta' kommunita' lokali li hu tant importanti ghas-sidien tan-negozji kollha f'kull lokalita'. Illum il-GRTU toffri struttura u servizz professjonali li jizboq bil-kbir lil dak kollu li hu offrut minn hafna organizazzjonijiet ohra li jirraprezentaw lill-intraprizi f'pajjizna" sostna d-Direttur Generali Vince Farrugia.

Id-Direttur Generali tkellem ukoll fuq ix-xoghol li huwa jaghmel fl-EESC bhala rapprezentant tal-Employers Maltin. Illum id-Direttur Generali ghandu hames Rapporti li jolqtu lill-intraprizi Maltin u li huma ppublikati fl-Offical Journal of the European Union.

Id-diskors ewlieni tal-Laqgha Generali Annwali sar minn Paul Abela President tal-Kunsill Ezekuttiv Nazzjonali tal-GRTU. Fid-Diskors tieghu Paul Abela enfasizza:

Il-GRTU matul dawn is-snin kollha li ilha mwaqqfa hadmet mal-Gvernijiet kollha u l-ebda bidla ma gerxitna. U nibqghu nahdmu ma' kulhadd u nibqghu niddeciedu ahna meta jkun hemm bzonn li nintervjenu u niehdu wkoll azzjoni politika bhal ma ghamilna meta hdimna appertament biex Malta hadet postha bhala membru kburi tal-Unjoni Ewrpoeja u parti integrali mill-Unjoni Monetarja Ewropeja. Illum izda ghall-grazzja t'Alla Malta taghmel parti minn Unjoni li hi l-akbar salvagwardja tad-demokrazija u l-liberta' tad-drittijiet fundamentali tal-bniedem u l-liberta' kummercjali. L-Unjoni Ewropeja mhux avventura izda att ta' fidi.

Ghalhekk ma bzajniex mhux biss li nkunu parti tal-Unjoni Ewropeja imma wkoll li nifthu l-ekonomija taghna. Hdimna spalla ma' spalla mal-Gvern biex f'Malta jiddahhlu standards, regolari finanzjarji ewropej u sistema' tar-regoli u direttivi li jsahhu l-kompetizzjoni, halli l-imprendituri taghna jkunu jistghu jsiru imprendituri ewropej u jitghallmu jimirhu fi swieq akbar. Ghalhekk ahna fil-proposti taghna lill-Partiti nenfassizaw hafna aktar tahrig tas-Self-Employed, tas-sidien tan-negozji, l-haddiema taghhom u dejjem nirsistu u nipproponu skemi, wahda wara l-ohra biex is-sidien tan-negozji z-zghar li f'Malta jirraprezentaw 95% tal-intraprizi kollha japgrejdjaw u jghollu l-livelli ta' skills taghhom halli jkunu f'pozizzjoni li jgawdu mis-suq kbir ewropew. B'hekk biss li n-negozji taghna jistghu jikbru u jghaddu ghall-generazzjonijiet ohra.

Ahna minn ta' quddiem nett bhala ghaqda nazzjonali ta' imprendituri Maltin li qed nahdmu bla waqfien fuq livell ewropew permezz tar-raprezentazzjonijiet taghna fil-European Economic & Social Committee fejn id-Direttur Generali taghna Vince Farrugia mhux biss huwa membru imma huwa ukoll membru tal-Bureau tal-Employers u llum huwa persuna ta' certa influwenza u stima anke mal-Kummissjoni Ewropeja u mal-organizazzjonijiet Ewropej, il-UEAPME u l-EuroCommerce, li maghhom il-GRTU hija affiljata. Il-GRTU permezz tal-President Paul Abela taghmel parti u tippartecipa fil-European Social Fund Committee.

Pajjizi zghar, specjalment dawk li huma energy islands ghax maqtughin mill-Kontinent, bhal ma hi Malta, u jridu kollox mill-vapuri u mill-fuels importati ghaliex m'ghandhomx rizorsi taghhom stess, u ghalhekk bilfors li jrid ikollhom is-sahha tal-fondi Ewropej biex jinhelsu mill-inzularita' tal-energija. Dan bilfors ifisser li l-energy islands bhal Malta iridu investiment qawwi fl-interconnectors u f'gas pipelines li jghaqduhom mal-kumplament tal-Kontinent. Ikollna kemm ikollna power stations f' Malta in-nefqa ghalina tibqa' dejjem enormi. L-inzularita' tal-energija ghal pajjizna hi theddida ekonomika li nehlisu minnha biss jekk nuzufruttaw is-shubija taghna fl-Unjoni Ewropeja. Fornitura ta' energija sigura u kostanti hi l-akbar garanzija ta' aktar investiment u aktar xoghol.

Fl-Ewropa qed isir hafna xoghol biex il-cost tal-Energija kemm jista' ikun ekwu fil-pajjizi kollha imsiehba fl-Unjoni biex l-intraprizi Ewropej ikunu jistghu verament jikkompetu ras imb' ras. Il-GRTU lill-Partiti Politici ghamlitilhom il-proposti tal-membri taghha u ghalhekk ahna ma rridux bl-ebda mod nidhlu fil-hafna argumenti dwar il-proposti diversi li qed jidhru jiddominaw il-kampanja elettorali ta' bhalissa. Ahna rridu produzzjoni ta' energija lokali attiva li tinkludi ukoll proporzjon akbar ta' sorsi godda u alternattivi u ukoll kapacita' ohra ta' riserva li tintuza biss f'kaz ta' bzonn biex taghtina certu stabbilita' imma nippreferu illi nuzufruttaw bil-kbir l-investimenti kbar f'kull tip ta' energija li qed isiru fil-kumplament tal-Ewropa. Ahna ma nistghu qatt nikkompetu ras imb'ras jekk il-piz tal-elettriku jew l-energija f'kull prodott jew servizz li nipprovdu jkun bhala proporzjon ghola minn ta' haddiehor fl-istess Ewropa.

Il-GRTU tinkwieta meta tara l-credit agencies inaqqsu r-ratings ta' Malta u ghalhekk li jien nappella bil-kbir lill-Politici kollha biex jaghtu kas hafna ta' dak li jghidu ghax illum zgur Malta m'ghadiex information island. Illum kull ma jinghad f'Malta jigi interpretat barra u sfortunamtament mhux dejjem il-percessjoni tal-barranin tkun tirrifletti l-attwalita' ta' x'inhu jigri fl-ekonomija Maltija. Malta ghamlet passi kbar f'kull qasam iddiversifikajna f'oqsma godda bis-sahha ta' investimenti kbar provati u inizzjattivi mill-Gvern u mill-korpi statali. Ejja lkoll inkunu kburin b'dak kollu li akkwistajna, dan hu frott tal-Maltin, frott ta' Gvern u tal-imprendituri Maltin u frott tal-kapacitajiet tal-haddiema Maltin. Id-dibatittu politiku ghandu jiffoka fuq kif se nkabbru u ntejjbu t-tajjeb kollu li ghandna.

Il-futur ghalina jrid ikun dejjem ibbazat fuq is-sigurta' nazzjonali u l-helsien fid-demokrazija. L-ghajta taghna trid tibqa' dejjem favur min itina l-aktar din il-garanzija.

Jien nixtieq nawgura lilkom u lill-familji taghkom sena 2013 ahjar mis-snin ta' qabel. Nispera li sena ohra niltaqghu ghal 65 anniversarju b'fiducja li l-futur hu garantit.

Id-Diskors kollu tal-President jista' jinstab fuq http://www.grtu.net/.

The
EU's Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) programme has become the main EU
instrument to catalyse the spread of the efficient use of energy, greater use
of renewable energy sources and more efficient transport. It is part of the
overarching EU's Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP).

The
IEE 2013 Call for Proposals has been launched recently. In this respect, the
CIP Malta National Contact Point at Malta Enterprise is organizing an
information session on this year's Call on Wednesday 30th January 2013, from
8.45 to 11.30 hrs. Kindly find attached the invitation which includes key
background information to the IEE programme.

Interested
parties are invited to attend this event. Attendance is free of charge, but
prior registration is required. Registration can be done following this link:
http://bit.ly/UsHsFF

Kindly
note that registration is open till the 28th January 2013.

More
information about the IEE programme and the 2013 Call kindly visit
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/ or contact the CIP National Contact
Point at Malta Enterprise on 2542 0000