Gonzi attacks MLP on overtime
Dr Gonzi made his comments after a walkabout in Fgura, where he met the business community and shoppers.
He insisted that the PN proposals for tax cuts and incentives was more favourable to the people and businesses than the MLP proposal to reduce the surcharge.
He also insisted that under a PN government, overtime would continue to be paid at time and a half or as agreed between workers and their employers.
Earlier, Dr Gonzi said the gainfully occupied population had reached a record 169,000 under his government and the people had more money in their pocket.
The government had twice reduced income tax and was promising to maintain the trend if it was re-elected.
He also pointed out that the government late last year significantly reduced fees for trading licences.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
Updated: Shot migrant in critical...
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Yana Mintoff: Family speaking to...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
10 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Victor Laiviera
Feb 27th 2008, 11:19
The PN’s great discovery about overtime payments at ONE TV/Radio turned out to be a damp squib.
The remuneration of overtime is very often a matter or negotiation between the employees, their unions and management. Some are paid premiums and some are compensated in other ways. In the catering/entertainment sector, for example, flat rate overtime is probably the norm rather than the exception.
The bottom line is that the MLP has stated publicly, repeatedly and categorically that the only thing it will change is to make overtime tax-free. The rest will remain the same.
The rest is just PN spin.
Daphne Caruana Galizia
Feb 27th 2008, 03:19
Albert Fenech confuses employment with volunteering. For the Super One employees, that is their livelihood, and they will take whatever money they can get, as will all sensible people. Volunteers have another source of income, usually a job with an employer less miserly than the Labour Party, and volunteer in their spare time. Like Francis Zammit, I think that Mr Fenech misses the obvious - that there are hundreds, nay thousands, of volunteers working like blazes to keep Sant out of power. I wouldn't be too hasty with the vainglorious language about sweeping into power. It's always best to maintain a cautious approach, and this counts for everyone.
Ray Borr
Feb 26th 2008, 11:31
There seem to be a lot of heart break for the ONE workers about there collective agreement. But these same people did nothing when gonzipn stole our holidays
When gonzipn stole five (5)years of my pension if I ever get there. Need of change
K Xuereb
Feb 26th 2008, 09:57
Just like his Dear Leader, Mr Fenech prefers to confuse the issue rather than answer head on.
There is a difference between volunteers who work for a cause they believe in and professionals who work in a company whose ownership happens to be the Labour Party aspiring to govern Malta.
Hence, the policies applied by the MLP as an employer are extremely relevant and indicative of how it will implement its overtime pledge if in government.
Another aspect which people should also bear in mind that the GWU hardly made a squeak on behalf of the workers it's supposed to represent.
That too, is indicative of a future GWU industrial relations policy if MLP is returned to office.
New beginning? Sure.
Glen Cassar
Feb 26th 2008, 09:53
There are thousands of Maltese who work in the catering industry who are paid one hour one hour, so there is a huge part of the population which is being subject to this system. Gonzi is so desperate that he is actually attacking something that has nothing to do with politics! That is showing why Gonzi is dangerous, he is trying to undermine labour in any possible way, to win more votes in this election. Even though superone's payments have NOTHING to do with politics in Malta. Gonzi is one of the worst politicians we ever had! Get a life Gonzi STOP talking nuisance, start talking politics!
Joseph Bajada
Feb 26th 2008, 08:59
Mr Fenech,
A sacrifice is something you do willingly. Being asked to work overtime for flat rates or else you're sacked isn't a sacrifice in any dictionary - except maybe for blindfolded labour supporters who are ready to 'sacrifice' anyone's well-being to see their party in government.
FRANCIS ZAMMIT
Feb 26th 2008, 08:52
On the other side of the coin, there are also 'hundreds and hundreds' of volunteers, especially those with a good memory, working around the clock, also for free, in order to keep Dr Sant out of government.
Anthony Mizzi
Feb 26th 2008, 08:31
The whole issue is about overtime being paid in full with no deductions.
It is all about putting more money in wage earner's pockets, it is an automatic increase in the take home pay.
What is wrong in that?
ALBERT FENECH
Feb 26th 2008, 06:02
I have some important information for Dr. Gonzi. There are hundreds and hundreds of people in Malta and Gozo working for free, without any payment at all! Another "scandalous" and evil MLP and Dr Alfred Sant ploy? No, like Super One employees, these hundreds of volunteers are making sacrifices to ensure that on 8th March, the electoral tide will sweep Dr. Gonzi out of Government once and for all. By the way, I am writing this without payment too.
Mario Gauci
Feb 25th 2008, 19:48
Funny how Dr. Sant or his elk have remained silence in the face of mounting criticism over the fate of Super One employees regarding the overtime saga. Alfred Sant... one blunder after another!