On the dot...

¤ How many times have motorists experienced a scene similar to the one above? The photograph was taken on June 19 on the Manuel Dimech bridge. What exactly does the VRT set out to do? And where are the wardens/traffic police?

Share Alike

¤ On of the most tempting and cost-effective ways to get women tempted to return to work is to offer them options such as job-sharing and flexitime. So far, a small measure of this has been implemented in the part-time recruitment of clerical staff in the public sector. Job sharing is still not available; could it be because a prime requisite for this is an innate trust in one's colleagues(s), i.e. that those who work less than part-timers will not become a scapegoat upon which the boring, nasty jobs are offloaded, with the workload thus not being shared equally?

Water Mess

¤ A survey commissioned by Xarabank had indicated that a minuscule 1.5 per cent have stated they would "be positively affected" by the surcharge on water and electricity bills. It would be interesting to find out how many of those within this bracket still hold on to that belief, and, for a laugh, how many of the others have changed their mind. But, one supposes, in such reviews no data of respondents is available, to safeguard anonymity.

Spot On

¤ There was a time when workers looked forward to their stint at blood donation because, apart from being of service to fellow humans, they could count on an extra few hours of leave, since they were allowed to go straight home from the Blood Bank. This is no longer the practice. Reintroducing it would mean that the number of donors would rise; and, as a corollary, one could also mention the fact that some people cannot do their jobs to the best of their ability after having donated blood. In some instances, it could also prove hazardous.

Green Sleeves

¤ Some months ago, the inception of the Green Leaders system in the public sector was inaugurated with much fanfare. So far, however, for starters, not one statistic has been made public about how many tonnes of paper were collected, recycled and reused, following initiatives by these chosen few. Indeed, most households would report that, to date, they have not received one single item from a government department in a recycled envelope.

Smoke Scream

¤ And speaking of threats to health, has the overall sale of cigarettes increased, or decreased, since the introduction of the Bill prohibiting smoking in public places? Is the number of smoking-related deaths on the increase or has it declined, even if minimally? Ironically, even taxpayers who do not smoke have to contribute money to the health sector for the treatment of people who are literally making themselves ill.

Mobile Units

¤ Was it merely scare-mongering to indicate that children would be more vulnerable to the damage potentially caused by mobile telephones because their nervous system would still be developing? Are statistics available to show the incidence of children in Malta who have exhibited symptoms compatible with the alleged health hazards caused by even a low Sars (specific absorption rate) value?

Cling Films

¤ Yet another cache of counterfeit goods has been intercepted by Customs. This and previous caches ought to give the lie to the word that Malta is some sort of Centreport-cum-strainer of the Mediterranean. Hopefully, in the future, criminals will think twice about trying to use our Customs system as an easy way to make a fortune while endangering the jobs of legitimate workers.

Heat Is On

¤ When it's hot enough to fry an egg on the pavement, one's thoughts turn to all that solar energy going to waste when it could be captured and harnessed for the country's needs. Institutions such as rest homes, schools, residential complexes and even private firms would no doubt benefit by a system which would undoubtedly pay for itself within a few years. So why is there not enough public awareness about this?

Numbers Games

¤ When the Lotto Department was replaced by Maltco Lotteries Limited it was stated that the gaming operator had invested Lm13 million in its local operations. No doubt, this money has long been recouped, as is evident by the non-stop advertising of each new game that is introduced.

Oil See

¤ There have been several hints of late, by people in prominent positions locally - as well as the BBC - about how the price of fuel is on the rise and rise. One hopes this is not being done in preparation for another increase in kerosene, petrol and bottled gas cylinder prices.

All for One

¤ Almost daily for the past few days now walking through the main entrance of City Gate, Valletta, is not possible due to repairs to the ceiling. Apart from the fact that the job seems to be taking its time - hopefully it'll be ready by the time CHOGM opens in November - commuters cannot help noticing the "big" group of workers monitoring the job and the two or three actually doing it!

Artful Dodger

¤ Mentioning City Gate, one is likely to recall last week's judgment in which seven buskers were acquitted of selling goods there because the presiding magistrate ruled they were being paid in compensation for artistic work they carried out with material which was merely a medium through which they expressed their artistic talent. All it takes now is for a confectioner to prove that baking a cake is a work of art. A mechanic might argue the same too. And so on and so on...