LOCAL NEWS
Update by Ministry of Health
A positive bulletin today by the Ministry of Health reaching the Maltese public on the eve of further easing of restrictions due tomorrow. 14 persons have recovered in the past 24 hours, and with no new infections identified, only 37 active cases remain. Just under 900 tests were carried out.
Malta Chamber finds significant disruption in productivity from Covid-19 stress
71 per cent of attendants to a webinar organised by The Malta Chamber today said that COVID had to a certain extent increased stress levels within their business, to the detriment of productivity. The respondents were answering a poll which was carried out ahead of ‘Question Time – Managing Stress at Work’, a webinar about mental health issues at the workplace.
Read further results here.
19 per cent of those taking the poll went further and said that this disruption happened to a large extent, while only 10 per cent claimed that COVID did not affect their operation in terms of stress.
Malta Chamber President Perit David Xuereb said that the during the COVID crisis, it was evident that the disruption of all normality had a large impact on businesses and their employees. “COVID has motivated us more than ever before to look for ways and means to mitigate and operate within the restrictions imposed, and do our best to sustain and save our companies while doing our utmost to keep our workforce, amidst this reality” Perit Xuereb said.
SME Chamber shares concerns on piling rental costs
Piling rental costs represents one of the main concerns that businesses are experiencing in this precarious time of Covid. Preserving businesses’ current condition and not let it deteriorate further until the economy starts improving is where urgent government support is necessary.
This was the key message delivered by the Malta Chamber of SMEs President Paul Abela and CEO Abigail Mamo to Minister Ian Borg and Lands Authority CEO James Piscopo during a meeting held to discuss immediate support businesses need with regards to rent.
In a statement, the Chamber said that xxpenses accumulating during this time will take very long to recuperate making the recovery of businesses longer and more difficult.
SME Chamber President Paul Abela said that “the SME Chamber expects the Government to recognise the responsibility it has towards saving business and should lead by example. The Lands Authority should be giving aggressive discounts at the moment that would see the tenant paying only a share of what is due for the time being”. Abela added that some sectors were reporting figures of just 10% turnover compared to the norm. The same expectation goes for the Malta Industrial Parks that should also be leading by example.
“This will give out a very important message on what changes are needed in rents including the private sector. Specific schemes should be made available for landlords to encourage a burden sharing approach where the landlord forfeits part of his/her revenue and the government subsidises another part, leaving the tenant with his/her share to pay.”
#MALTA-24: LOCAL NEWS
Timesofmalta.com
COVID-19 work benefits to end this month
COVID-19 benefits paid out to those with medical conditions and parents who had to suspend their employment to take care of their children will stop this month. Vulnerable people who were asked to stay at home to help curb the coronavirus will receive their last payment on Thursday, as lockdown measures are lifted on Friday.
Meanwhile, parents will continue receiving financial help until the end of the month.
Family Minister Michael Falzon said that in revising the benefits, the handouts will be phased out gradually.
His ministry is responsible for four assistance schemes, separate from that managed by Malta Enterprise.
Independent
Continue working from home, unions tell vulnerable workers
The UĦM Voice of the Workers has registered an industrial dispute with the government and ordered vulnerable workers asked to report to work on Friday to continue working from home.
A similar directive has also been issued by the Malta Union of Teachers to its members. Prime Minister Robert Abela on Monday said everyone will have to go back to work on Friday, including those considered vulnerable and given special concessions. He added that they should be vigilant.
The MUT said in a statement on Thursday, it was not involved in any discussion on the decision for people to return to work and according to its information, workplaces were not equipped in line with the issued protocol, which also had never been discussed with the union.
In a separate statement, the UĦM said the government’s directive contrasted substantially from the guidelines for vulnerable persons published by the Health Superintendent on Tuesday, which made it clear that COVID-19 was still around.
This situation was leading people to consider taking unpaid leave or resign from their jobs.
Maltatoday
Retail trade in Malta witnessed largest EU decrease
Malta experienced the largest drop in retail trade across the EU when restrictive measures shut shops last April.
The volume of retail trade in Malta decreased by 25.1% in April when compared to March, figures released by Eurostat show.
Romania (-22.3%) and Ireland (-21.9%) followed suit, with the only increase observed in Finland (+0.3%). The volume in Sweden remained stable.
The figures were equally bleak for Malta when the volume of retail trade in April was compared to the same month last year.
The annual volume of retail trade decreased in all EU member states, with the largest decreases in France (-31.1%), Spain (-29.8%), Malta (-24.8%) and Luxembourg (-24.7%).
The figures released on Thursday by the EU’s statistical agency show the significant impact of the COVID-19 containment measures introduced across the continent.
Printed
The Malta Business Weekly says Latvia and Bulgaria consider Malta as a high-risk country for the epidemic. While the Balkan country imposed a 14-day quarantine for travellers from Malta and six other countries, the Baltic country recommends against visiting the islands.
The Times quotes the Public Health Superintendent who announced that a legal notice requiring vulnerable people to stay indoors is to be lifted on Friday after the Covid-19 reproduction rate fell to below 0.5.
The Independent speaks to Finance Minister Edward Scicluna who said he expects the tourism industry to ‘get back on its feet’ within a year and a half. He said that the recovery depends on demand.
L-Orizzont says travel agencies reported a good response from customers after the government announced the reopening of the airport from July. A tour operator said that interest in holiday resorts and small-group tours has grown.
In-Nazzjon says that the privatised hospitals are set to change ownership again after employees at Steward Healthcare bought out a 90 percent stake in the company. Health Minister Chris Fearne said the new owners are committed to the contractual obligations.
The Times says that Prime Minister Robert Abela refused to take a public position on allegations in court against PL deputy leader Chris Cardona. Abela said that any decisions will be taken at the end of the judicial process.
The Independent quotes parliamentary secretary Clifton Grima who announced that competitions for contact sports may resume from mid-July. Athletes can restart training from the beginning of the month.
L-Orizzont says that Public Health Superintendent Charmaine Gauci has given her last Covid-19 briefing on Wednesday. The number of active cases has decreased to 51 following two new infections and eight recoveries.
The Malta Business Weekly quotes opponents of the City Centre project in Pembroke who said that a revised plan submitted by DB Group does not address the concerns of residents in the area and will still overshadow bordering localities.
In-Nazzjon quotes Opposition Leader Adrian Delia who said that job losses are the greatest worry on people’s minds and accused the government of ignoring unemployment figures issued by the National Statistics Office.
L-Orizzont says that the government has implemented 43 percent of its 2017 electoral programme while a third of the remaining proposals are at an advanced stage. The information was given by Minister Carmelo Abela.
The Malta Business Weekly reports that Greece has banned travel to and from Qatar until the 15th of June after several passengers on a flight from Doha to Athens tested positive to the coronavirus.
Editorials
Business Today notes how among the only business to continue normal operations throughout the pandemic, in Malta were the manufacturing firms. Despite these being among the oldest enterprises on the island, they have proved to be resilient during crisis times. The Editor says that Malta must use the COVID-19 experience to attract more manufacturing firms to the island and encourage those already here to expand their operations. There are new niche sectors in aviation that can be attracted to Malta, which require a strategic land use plan.
The Times puts sport at the centre of its agenda today, highlighting the fact that while it was understandable that all activity had to stop at the peak of the pandemic, sportsmen and women were given little updates and support throughout this difficult period. While for obvious health reasons one cannot argue against this decision, controversial as it may seem, what disappointed many was the fact that the sports community was left in the dark about the ongoing assessments being made by the health authorities regarding the possibility of training routines being resumed. The Editor calls for more respect to sport which should be accorded higher regard for the value they offer society.
The Independent makes an appeal to the general public and the authorities to not let the lessons taught by the pandemic to be in vain. The Editorial argues that there is still a chance to put pressure on the government and force the change the country needs. To build a more environmentally friendly economy, one which targets high-end jobs and does not depend as much on construction.
L-Orizzont looks into the support being given to young couples to purchase their first property, welcoming this measure in consideration of higher property prices experienced in the past few years.
In-Nazzjon also tackles the surge in property-related prices, while focusing its attention on the challenges faced by families and small businesses to cover rent. The Editor expresses concern with regards to the situation of those who have lost their job in recent weeks who will be finding it tough to cover their rental obligations.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Emirates offers flights for passengers to 29 cities and resumes transits through Dubai hub
Following the UAE Federal Government’s announcement to lift restrictions on transit passengers services, from 15th June Emirates will offer passenger services to 16 more cities on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. With travel restrictions remaining in place in most countries, customers are reminded to check entry and exit requirements before their journeys.
Flights to the following cities will be available for booking on emirates.com or via travel agents: Bahrain, Manchester, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dublin, New York JFK, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei, Hong Kong, Perth and Brisbane.
In addition, from 8th June Emirates will offer flights from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad for travellers from Pakistan who wish to connect onwards to other Emirates destinations.
With this latest announcement, Emirates will be offering flights for passengers on the back of its scheduled cargo operations from Dubai to 29 cities, including existing flights to London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Chicago, Toronto, Sydney, Melbourne and Manila (from 11th June).
EU Corner – by Comuniq.EU
EU Commission consults with social partners on fair minimum wages
The European Commission has launched the second-stage consultation of European trade unions and employers’ organisations on how to ensure fair minimum wages for all workers in the European Union.
This follows the first-stage consultation which was open from 14 January to 25 February 2020, to which the Commission received replies from 23 EU-wide social partners. Based on the replies received, the Commission concluded that there is a need for further EU action. Already a political priority for the von der Leyen Commission, recent events have further cemented demand for EU efforts to reduce rising wage inequalities and in-work poverty.
The EU has been particularly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with negative effects on Member States’ economies, businesses, and the income of workers and their families.
Ensuring that all workers in the EU earn a decent living is essential for the recovery as well as for building fair and resilient economies, and minimum wages have an important role to play. Minimum wages are relevant both in countries relying solely on collectively agreed wage floors and in those with a statutory minimum wage.
The Commission said that minimum wages that are appropriately negotiated with social partners, complied with and updated can provide vulnerable workers with a financial buffer in case of hard times. When set at adequate levels and taking into account economic conditions, they support vulnerable workers and help to preserve both employment and the competitiveness of firms.
This daily update bulletin is being compiled for the Chamber of Advocates by CI Consulta from Corporate ID Group. CI Consulta delivers policy research and analysis, evaluations and impact assessments up to policy implementation and integration.
