Category: Articles

The top 10 basics to follow

The number of new cases in Malta remains on the high side when compared to lower numbers that we have seen before. It is also however true that we are all living in the closest form of normality and finding this tricky balance of keeping numbers down while life moves on. 

While the country continues to limit the effects of Covid and also the effects this brings on the economy and our society, disruption is unfortunately the order of the day.   

As those following updates from the Ministry for Health related to the virus cases know, on a daily basis, a small number of the cases reported relate to contagion at the place of work. This of course causes an even greater level of disruption and being careful and formalising protocols to follow will help reduce the disruption at the workplace. 

Each workplace needs to be analysed on its own merit but it is important that this takes place as it is a legal duty of the employer to ensure a safe working environment.  

The most basic steps to follow are: 

1. Staff experiencing symptoms not to come to the workplace (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny/blocked nose, headaches, tiredness, muscle pain, loss of taste, loss of smell, vomiting, diarrhoea, together with additional symptoms being recognised including sinus pain and expectoration)

2. Ensure a high level of cleaning and hygiene at the workplace

3. Making masks/visors available for staff to be worn in common areas and avoiding prolonged use of common areas such as kitchens and taking it in turns 

4. Making masks/visors available for visitors to keep on for the duration on their stay at the workplace 

5. Making hand sanitisers available (70% alcohol based) 

6. Clustering staff members who have to work in close proximity and avoid interaction between clusters. Communication between staff as much as possible to be done from own workspace by phone or online 

7. Social distancing to be observed in general 

8. Reorganisation of layouts, shifts and working time where possible 

9. Open windows or extractors where possible to enhance circulation of air 

10. Signage (especially for larger working environments) as a reminder and awareness raising tool 

The full set of measures one can follow at the workplace can be find through the following link: https://bit.ly/2GFmR3k 

The full set of guidelines per workplace type and activity can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/36OcBQQ  

Stay Safe! 

Following last Saturday’s election and today’s swearing-in as Opposition Leader, the Malta Chamber of SMEs congratulated Dr Bernard Grech.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs said that it looks forward to meet Dr Grech to initiate discussions with him as leader of the opposition, especially on the current Covid situation and recovery plans for SMEs.

The Malta Chamber of SMEs also thanked Dr Adrian Delia for his service during the last years.

Malta’s Chamber of SMEs has called for a second round of vouchers but with more focus on retail outlets

Residents of Malta could soon receive a second round of government vouchers, with Prime Minister Robert Abela confirming discussions are being held to this effect.

“The first scheme was extremely successful,” Abela told the press yesterday. “Not only did we invest €45 million in our people but this investment prompted more public expenditure, so it had an accumulative effect.”

In the first round of vouchers, people were given €80 to spend at establishments licensed by the Malta Tourism Authority, such as hotels, restaurants and bars, and €20 to spend at a retail outlet or service that was closed as a result of COVID-19.

The scheme, which has been extended to the end of October, was a roaring success, helping keep business afloat.

The Malta’s Chamber of SMEs has called for a second round of vouchers but with more focus on retail outlets.

“Our main principle is to preserve jobs and to keep businesses strong,” Robert Abela said.

Source: LovinMalta.com

The Malta Chamber of SMEs will hold its annual event on Wednesday 18th November 2020

The Malta SME Week 2020 has been launched  with various activities throughout a span of 7 weeks targeting different audiences.

The Malta SME Week is part of the European Commission’s European SME Week events aimed at generating public awareness amongst those people who wish to start a business or are already in business and wish to grow and scale-up their activities. This year, the calendar of events for SME Week will be spread over seven weeks making it possible for businesses to participate in different events.

It is a joint effort with the constituted bodies that support enterprises and this year’s edition will feature a wide range of events targeting different audiences. SME Week ties with the Ministry’s efforts to promote entrepreneurship so that more people, in particular younger ones, consider becoming an entrepreneur as a career option, whilst providing information on national and EU entities assistance to micro, small and medium-sized businesses and also giving recognition to entrepreneurs for their contribution to Malta’s welfare, jobs, innovation, and competitiveness.

During this years Maltaz SME Week the Malta Chamber of SMEs will once again hold its annual conference entitled “The SME Conference – Getting ready for a new era” on the 18th of November. More information will provided soon.

Click here to view the Malta SME Week 2020 programme: SME week programme A4 – Final.