Category: Archive – 2014

One of the
European Union's main principles is free movement, which enforces the Union's
responsibility to ensuring that people – particularly EU citizens – that live
within its borders are safe. When citizens have fallen victim to a crime, they
are allowed particular services and rights that can help them recover and gain
compensation in the aftermath of the ordeal.

First, citizens have the right
to recognition and respect. This means that a victim must be treated with
respect during all interactions with criminal justice agencies and should be
acknowledged as having a genuine role in the case proceedings. Victims also
possess the right to be heard and the ability to provide evidence during the
trial. Moreover, when a crime victim attends the trial as a witness of party,
his or her expenses should be reimbursed.

The right to information is
essential and involves a number of additional points. Access to relevant
information should be given to the victim at the earliest period and during the
entire criminal justice process. This data involves information on the
procedures and the victim's part in them, updates on what progress has been
made, and the result of the criminal proceedings. The language of the
information provided to the victim should be easily understood, with the
information also available in other formats and languages. When necessary,
citizens are entitled to free of charge translations and interpretations of
important information. Additionally, one should also be informed who to contact
in case the information provided requires further discussion with a
professional. This leads onto the next entitlement which is the right to
interact with trained professionals. Crime victims have the right to receive
support from professionals that have been appropriately trained to deal with
their case.

Additionally, victims have the
right to appropriate and fair compensation for any damages suffered. Whilst in
some EU states, compensation is granted separately from the trial, in others it
bestowed as part of the criminal proceedings. If a citizen falls victim to a
crime in another country, the home country should collaborate with the country
in which the crime was undertaken in order to assist the victim in
participating in the case. This right of cross-border assistance also means
that victims of violent crimes can submit a claim for compensation in either
the home country (where the victim lives) or the country in which the crime
occurred. The final two rights encapsulate what has already been mentioned.
These are the right to support and the right to protection. The former
authorises crime victims to access support services such as Victim Support
Europe, whilst the latter gives victims the right to protection of their
psychological and physical integrity. In addition, one's privacy and
photographic image is also protected. The right to protection also covers
protection from repeat victimisation, with child victims always acknowledged as
requiring specific protection needs. Assessments of all crime victims can determine
whether the victim requires any special protection measures.

Victim Support Europe (VSE) is
an organisation that promotes the progress of victim rights throughout the
European continent. It aids each and every victim in Europe to access
information and support services in the aftermath of the crime, irrespective of
where the crime happened and where the victim resides. Victim Support Malta is
the local representative of VSE Europe and provides services that are free of
charge and available to everyone, regardless of whether or not the criminality
has been reported and where it occurred. VSE Malta does not form part of the
courts, police or any other criminal justice agency. VSE Malta can be contacted
in confidentiality through its support line: 21228333.

The European Commission takes
the issue of supporting victims of crime very seriously, as the treatment of
victims reflects the quality of European justice systems. The priority is
therefore not solely the prevention of crime, but the provision of support and
protection to individuals who unfortunately fall victim to crime. The 2001
Council Framework Decision on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings
set out the basic rights for crime victims within the EU. This Framework
Decision, however, has since been replaced by Directive 2012/29/EU which Member
States are obligated to fully implement into their national laws by 16 November
2015. It improves upon the 2001 Framework Decision as it adds new rights and
obligations. Family members of deceased victims, for example, are now defined
as victims themselves. Family members of victims that were fortunate enough to
survive their ordeal are entitled to protection and support. Furthermore, this
new Directive strengthens the rights that have already been mentioned in this
article, such as matters of information, interpretation and translation.
Therefore, it is clear that help is there for those who need it.

Article by Andrew Rizzo Naudi. Andrew is currently in his second
year reading a bachelors degree in European Studies.

GRTU has
received the below communication from the ETC which we feel could be of
interest to you. We encourage you to make use of this opportunity and reply to
us if you need any assistance or encounter any problems.

Apprenticeship
is the key to a highly skilled workforce as it gives an opportunity to train
prospective employees. Apprenticeship includes theoretical training and work
placement with an employer through which practical training is acquired.
Therefore apprentices learn the theory and practice of the occupation.

In the
coming weeks the Corporation will be organizing the call for applications for
apprentices. New prospective apprentices will be available to start their
apprenticeship as from July and are available on a daily basis up till
September. During this period apprentices are paid a stipend from the
Government, hence you as an employer are not obliged to pay any remuneration.

If you
have never enjoyed the benefits of the apprenticeship schemes we invite you to
contact ETC for further information. If you are familiar with the scheme and
would like to employ new apprentice/s please get in touch with ETC through one
of the following options:

, 22201302/9/10/13 or Mr Jean
Pierre Meilaq – Senior Executive, Training Programmes Design & QA.

Below is the
list of all apprenticeship callings on offer:

Technician
Apprenticeship Scheme (TAS)- Apprenticeships on offer:

Extended Skills Training Scheme (ESTS)- Apprenticeships on offer:

The 0.9%
increase in the volume of retail trade in the euro area in March 2014, compared
with March 2013, is due to rises of 1.9% for the non-food sector, of 0.8% for
automotive fuel and of 0.3% for "Food, drinks and tobacco". In the EU28, the
1.6% increase in retail trade is due to rises of 3.3% for the non-food sector
and of 1.8% for automotive fuel, while "Food, drinks and tobacco" fell by 0.1%.

The
highest increases in total retail trade were observed in Romania (+13.4%),
Luxembourg (+12.1%) and Hungary (+8.4%). Decreases were registered in Malta
(-2.0%), Finland (-1.3%), Slovenia (-1.1%) and Spain

(-0.6%).

Are
you trying to access Horizon2020 funding? Are
you seeking partners for Horizon 2020 projects, or are interested in joining a
consortium?   

The event gives companies, universities, scientists and organisations
the opportunity to meet and find potential partners for future projects and
other cooperation initiatives.   The focus for the matchmaking event
are calls in Horizon 2020 within the areas "Industrial Leadership and Societal
Challenges".

There will be
pre-arranged individual meetings, where it is possible to find potential
commercial and technology partners to the Horizon 2020 calls from all over
Europe and thus get access to this funding.

To register and
create your matchmaking profile, please click the "New registration" button on:

https://www.eiseverywhere.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=67941&categoryid=780206

The matchmaking
event is an official part of the EuroScience Open Forum [ESOF] 2014, which will
be held between 21-26 June 2014. 
Participants may choose to attend only the matchmaking
event of the 26^th June; however if interested in the rest of the Forum proceedings,
please visit http://esof2014.org for the full conference programme.

Financial assistance is being offered by Malta Enterprise to eligible
participants

If you are interested, kindly contact:

L-Kunsill Lokali Naxxar rebah il-kategorija tal-Kunsill
Lokali fil-Premju Nazzjonali ghall-appogg ghall-intrapriza u se jkun qieghed
ukoll jirraprezenta lil Malta f'Napli f'Ottubru li gej fil-Premju Ewropew.

Certament li, ghalkemm ghad fadal x'isir l-Kunsill ser
jkompli  jahdem favur l-intraprizi lokali, dan jixhed l-impenn tal-Kunsill
Lokali Naxxar biex ikabbar u jsahhah l-ekonomija lokali.

Dan is-success huwa wkoll dovut ghall-appogg li b'mod
regolari u konsistentament l-Kunsill jsib mill-GRTU l-Assocjazzjoni li
tirraprezentha l-Intraprizi Zghar u Medji.

A productive
meeting was held between the Chamber of Pharmacists, the GRTU Healthcare
Division, the Ministry and Parliamentary Secretariat responsible for Health. All
parties are committed to the Pharmacy of your Choice initiative and its
evolution.

The
Chamber of Pharmacists and GRTU stated clearly that they have never claimed
that there was political discrimination in the POYC system.

Moreover
further to the joint meeting, the Chamber of Pharmacists and GRTU were assured
that the POYC is not being subjected to political discrimination in its
operations.

The
Chamber and the GRTU have surveyed their members and recognize that the
inefficiencies of the procurement and 
POYC processes are triggering consumers to complain to POYC when
specific medicines are not available at pharmacies. POYC from their end often
seek to address such shortages at pharmacies. All parties recognize the need to
improve the system without requiring customers to complain about such matters.

All
parties recognize that the POYC business processes and systems require
significant improvements and will collaborate in the design and implementation
of such improvements. These problems have been with the initiative for many
years and need to be addressed urgently.

Government
is committed to restructure POYC, improve business processes and communications
with Pharmacies, and enhance IT systems.

Government
has launched a change programme which will seek to improve all aspects related
to the procurement, distribution and dispensing of medicines.

The GRTU President and the National Executive Council have
appointed Abigail Psaila Mamo as CEO of the Association.

Ms Psaila Mamo has a Bachelors Degree in European
Studies and has been working at the GRTU since August 2007. Her previous
position comprised of EU and International Affairs Coordinator and Head of the
Europe Direct Information Centre office.

During the years she worked at her previous position
within GRTU Ms Psaila Mamo was also instrumental in drafting GRTU's main policy
proposals amongst which GRTU's yearly Budget proposals. She was also the person
behind GRTU winning the bid to host a Europe Direct Information Centre. She is
already a full member representing GRTU on the Malta EU Steering and Action
Committee and the Monitoring Committee for Structural Funds.

GRTU this week
held its main EP election activity with a number of candidates for the 2014 MEP
Elections. Being a dynamic organisation that represents the widest spread of
sectors GRTU wanted to involve its members from the different sectors who
themselves shared their views and expectations from the new groups of Maltese
MEPs.

The members
touched on a number of topics and uncovered various interesting opinions.
Philip Fenech GRTU Deputy President and President of the GRTU Tourism and
Hospitality Sector opened the discussion with the Single European Sky. Mr
Fenech said he was aware that the European Parliament recently voted in favour
of the Single European Sky 2+ that would accelerate its implementation. Such an
initiative would involve a continent-wide reform in air traffic management that
could result in increased safety, efficiency and environmental-friendliness. A
defragmented European airspace may help reduce the cost of flying because less
duel is consumed and the flight time would be shortened which would lead to
lower and more competitive prices, that would encourage more travelling. From
an SME perspective the proposal translates in a number of benefits.

PN candidate
Jonathan Shaw highlighted the fact that Malta's MEPs should see what effects
initiatives like these would have on Malta. He also responded to a point about
the United States having more efficient air traffic management by stating that
whilst the EU is a Union of states, the USA is one state and therefore
procedures would be less complicated. The PL candidate Cyrus Engerer expanded
upon Shaw's statement about the importance of looking at Malta first and
foremost, as at times a common European approach to certain matters is not in
Malta's interests, especially not at this stage. Moreover, he believes that the
environment is an essential factor to take into consideration when a vote is
eventually undertaken. PL candidate Marlene Mizzi emphasised the
cost-efficiency of a single airspace, as trade costs through means of air and
sea transport are high and affect an island state like Malta all the more.

PN candidate
Stefano Mallia also feels that an airspace reform is vital for businesses and
also thinks that the public perception of Air Malta needs to be changed as the
airline is crucial to the country's economy and tourism sector. PL candidate
Ivan Grixti started out by asserting that Malta is not part of mainland Europe
and therefore some consequences to a Single European Sky can be expected. He
maintained that cost-savings should reach the right people, as operators
deserve reasonable profits, but consumers should also benefit.

The second
topic raised by long standing GRTU Member and GRTU Vice President Marcel Mizzi
focused on the issue of lack of communication with our MEPs. Maltese MEPs
should be in constant contact with businesses. They should not under estimate
the important contribution we can give them as we constantly issue Position
Papers on various topics. Roberta Metsola, a current MEP and candidate on the
PN ticker, acknowledges that it is clear that there is a need for increased
communication, however, contact has been amplified in recent times. Metsola
asserted that the European People's Party Group (EPP Group) – a centre-right
European political group – is focusing on the need for more SME-friendly
measures. It is essential to note that SMEs require special attention as they
are the foundation of the European economy for different reasons. Whilst some
commentators believe that EU intervention is necessary in order to help SMEs
overcome the recent economic crisis and develop their trades, others feel that
less EU involvement could actually benefit these businesses.

PL candidate
Alfred Sant believes that increased contact is definitely a necessity, however
he also highlighted the importance of strategic questions in the European
Parliament (EP). He also said that civil society should do its part in
analysing how EU planned developments effect them, he gave the example of the
Banking Union and how this effects SMEs. On the issue of communication, Stefano
Mallia insisted that organisations that constitute civil society such as the
GRTU should send some of their members on educational trips to Brussels so as
to appreciate the processes of the EP. The problem with communication is that
sometimes, as Marlene Mizzi pointed out, some reports – which would include
amendments – would be handed out to MEPs very late which gives them no time to
consult. In Cyrus Engerer's opinion, MEUSAC should also have a more hands-on
approach and work with the EU Secretariat more closely so that any problems
would be discovered at their starting point.

Marcel Mizzi
also addressed the issue of Audit requirements on Micro enterprises which is a
heavy burden that MEPs should lobby to alleviate. This affects even dormant
companies. Such an exemption would mean a reduction in running costs for
Maltese micro enterprises that runs in the hundreds of thousands of Euros. Most
of the candidates present agreed that Audit requirements pose a significant disproportionate
burden on micro firms however they felt MEPs do not have a role to play as this
is more something for the national Governments and Authorities to decide. GRTU
officials however pointed out that the Small Business Act, an EU non-mandatory
Act, specifies that Member States could choose to take up this exemption for
SMEs and we would like MEPs to lobby in this direction.

Representatives
of GRTU's Burdnara (Cargo Hauliers) Section intervened explaining the situation
for Maltese enterprises involved in the transport of goods. Because of the
limited Maltese market they can by no means be compared to German transport
companies for instance. Some machinery the Maltese companies invest in are used
very rarely because they have a specific purpose and so complying to EU
requirements to phase out older trucks and machines is much more difficult for
them.

Another
interesting topic that was mentioned during the discussion by Noel Gauci,
President of the Renewable Energy Section within GRTU, was Research and
Development (R&D). The EU has placed R&D and the establishment of a
European Research Area higher up in the policy agenda. Unfortunately, a lot of
businesses are disadvantaged when it comes to this as high level research is
excessively costly, complex and interdisciplinary. Mr Gauci emphasises that our
MEPs need to keep in mind the specification of Malta when it comes to renewable
energy and such notice should be visible when funding opportunities are made
available.

GRTU takes the
opportunity to thank the candidates present that at the time were all running
for the EP elections: Roberta Metsola, Stefano Mallia, Jonathan Shaw, Ivan
Grixti, Cyrus Engerer, Marlene Mizzi and Alfred Sant.