Contractors sue, language schools to sue for transport strike damages

S Coleiro

Jul 18th 2008, 01:19

@ lee Cutajar :

I'm sorry for you having to put up with the nuisance of students and also that of building firms - I can understand that. But do you realise what damage the strike is causing to all these companies? They're suffering great losses.
I think it's right that these people should sue the Transport Federation- along with Air Malta and the other companies. Serves them right , for holding the whole country hostage during the peak season. They're going to ruin Malta's repitation and economy. Who will come to Malta next summer after seeing what is happening here now?

M. Schembri

Jul 17th 2008, 16:30

EUR 1 million a day hmmmmm ............ Inland Revenue Dept please take note !

Alfred Farrugia

Jul 17th 2008, 16:00

If building contractors suffered damages as a result of “road closures” – as everyone else did for that matter - is it not about time that they start paying a modest contribution to the government for the use of the roads, in addition to the road licence? If such road closures cost the building contractors a fraction of a €m a day, then these contractors can afford to pay a small percentage in fees or taxes for the use of these roads when they are open! Some of the damage to our roads is the result of the heavy vehicles of the building contractors! Perhaps the government can find a new source for road maintenance.

Keith Grech

Jul 17th 2008, 15:44

This also sheds light how much money contractors are earning from construction purposes. It is amazing that they can make so much money but often find it hard to take up basic insurance cover for third party damages. MEPA take note!

S Abela

Jul 17th 2008, 15:41

The contractors suing some else....hypocrites!! dear contractors you ruined Malta and a lot of people's lives!!!!! what a shame! see the plank in your own eyes!!

R. Bartolo

Jul 17th 2008, 12:51

Ok, two quick questions:
1) Do you really believe that these foreign students pump a lot of money to the Maltese economy, or simply to some companies, that might actually be international?
2) If the Transport Federation is successfully sued, where will all this money come from? Does anyone really believe that Victor Spiteri will personally dish out millions? Or will that money be simply a bank transfer from our taxes to the building contractors?

steve busuttil

Jul 17th 2008, 12:27

Well Well,

My point is very simple, this is just a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Every night i am entertained by groups of students who sing on their way back to the hotel, usually past 1am.

Every morning i am hassled by some contractor or other who seems it his God given right to block the road that i wished to use, or has his crane blocking my garage.

Go ahead and sue whoever you think is right, but these people are all part of the problem.

@ Mr Sammut, there could be millions spent in attracting tourists, that doesnt put anyone above another. On the contrary, maybe some money could be spent to make sure they arent a nuisance!

Noel Cutajar

Jul 17th 2008, 12:12

Much of the comments posted here are giving great importance to these students who are a source of income to some but not to all...though some comments remind me of the colonial times...treat her as the Queen so that we can milk her but please do not disturb her sleep!!!

lee cutajar

Jul 17th 2008, 12:08

Is it a joke or what?

Am not going to say that i agree with the strike, but i think it's about time that i shall also sue the buliding contractor than, for causing such nuisance from early in the morning till late in the afternoon near where i live !

And language schools, we who live in sliema , we are fed up of your (famous) students...! get rid of them or clean up the mess they leave behind our doors every eve, otherwise, i think that we will sue !!

J. Borg

Jul 17th 2008, 12:02

Pls remind the Chief Justice that when the building contractors win their case, the liquidated damages be credited (as a minimal part settlement) to the general public who has to date live with the same contractors' disregard of environmental laws and decency.

mario degiorgio

Jul 17th 2008, 12:01

The only positve thing that came out from this strike is to show how Dr Gonzi is ! Three cheers for dr Austin Gatt. Hip hip hurrah! . . .

Anthony Sammut

Jul 17th 2008, 11:47

Why do we always have to blame the innocent? Yes, it is true that students all over the world can be slightly too smart for their shoes, ours included - we as adults are also guilty, not just the youths.

Do your correspondents who passed these negative comments about students have any type of clue what the language schools as well that Destination Management Companies (tour operators), go through and what kind of investment they put into bringing these students and tourists in general? Believe me it is not a few cents but a few thousands of Euros. So yes they too have a right to protect their investment and feed their families.

Come on lets be realistic and fair !

M. Debono

Jul 17th 2008, 11:30

Students = tourists = more money in our pockets (thanks to its ripple effect on the economy) .. so pls. treat them with respect. Discipline, etc, etc ... is something else, and one should wait for the MTA/Tourism Ministry to come up with the report and action.

Marcel Dingli

Jul 17th 2008, 11:29

Building contractors have not much to talk about. At times it takes me over half an hour to get out of Sliema. They are a pain as much , if not even more.

Brian Murphy

Jul 17th 2008, 11:28

We are co-operating by conveying students to and fro to their resepective schools

Joseph E Briffa

Jul 17th 2008, 11:27

I am sorry but I disagree completely with the adverse comments on the behaviour of students who come here to improve their English. We kept students in our home for some 12 years and never had any trouble. Most of them were German, but we also had some Polish, French, Austrian, Italian, Russian and their age ranged from 14 to over 60. They were all well behaved and we never had anything stolen. Some rowdiness should be expected from the under 16s, but we found that even 16 year-olds were very mature and one could converse with them like grown-ups. These students are a good source of income because of their long stay -2/3 weeks on average, while the average tourist stay is only around 8 days. Furthermore we found out that quite a number who stayed with us - some for six weeks and more - came back and brought their friends over; some even revisited the Island with their parents. We should be thankful to these people for choosing Malta; they are filling the three star hotels. I think that alot of us still suffer from the Maltese gemgem syndrome.

E. Azzopadi

Jul 17th 2008, 11:25

And do not forget :THE MALTESE PEOPLE TO SUE !!!!!!!!!!!! Please add this one to the huge bill.

Louisa Apap Bologna

Jul 17th 2008, 11:23

Malta's economy relies heavily on the tourism industry; with English learning students forming part of that industry.  Take a moment to think about the damage this strike has done to Malta's reputation and economy.

Alex Bonavia

Jul 17th 2008, 11:22

That students tend to leave a mess is true but this has nothing to do with this article. That HAS TO BE TACKLED by those in charge of these students. Whether they leave a mess or not, they are still entitled to have transport provided to and from schools and so these schools have all the right to sue the transport federation as they are still paying for a service which they are not recieving

Alex Bonavia

Jul 17th 2008, 11:22

That students tend to leave a mess is true but this has nothing to do with this article. That HAS TO BE TACKLED by those in charge of these students. Whether they leave a mess or not, they are still entitled to have transport provided to and from schools and so these schools have all the right to sue the transport federation as they are still paying for a service which they are not recieving

Alex Bonavia

Jul 17th 2008, 11:22

That students tend to leave a mess is true but this has nothing to do with this article. That HAS TO BE TACKLED by those in charge of these students. Whether they leave a mess or not, they are still entitled to have transport provided to and from schools and so these schools have all the right to sue the transport federation as they are still paying for a service which they are not recieving

Chris Darmanin

Jul 17th 2008, 11:20

Dear Mr. Busuttil

IMO the problem is not the language schools and excessive number of students, but an inadequate service provided by the public transport system and poorly distributed busses in busy areas

Tina Lombardi

Jul 17th 2008, 11:17

Hope many MANY more judicial protests will be filed, and that all such cases will be won! These people have caused so much damage to our country, both in financial terms as well as the more lasting effect, ie the bad name given to Malta, that they deserve a proportionate punishment! Hope what they will actually have to fork out to other sectors and companies will run into millions....that way they will think twice before embarking on another ridiculous-childish-wannabe-cowboy-riot made up of a bunch of losers

Tina Lombardi

Jul 17th 2008, 11:17

Hope many MANY more judicial protests will be filed, and that all such cases will be won! These barbarians have caused so much damage to our country, both in financial terms as well as the more lasting effect, ie the bad name given to Malta, that they deserve a proportionate punishment! Hope what they will actually have to fork out to other sectors and companies will run into millions....that way they will think twice before embarking on another ridiculous-childish-wannabe-cowboy-riot made up of a bunch of losers

Mario Pace

Jul 17th 2008, 11:14

How about suing the language schools for the damage their students do to our private property and infrastructure and to the mess they leave behind. Ironically the same applies to the building contractors, come to Gzira and see for yourselves.

Kevin zammit

Jul 17th 2008, 11:13

Excellent. Hit them hard now ... Very hard. They tried to humiliate us with violence. The people resisted to stoop down to their level ... Now lets show them how its done.

hope the judge awards every single penny

Franco Farrugia

Jul 17th 2008, 11:07

@ George Grech, Steve Busuttil - I find your comments uncalled for and unfair. It is true that young people bring problems wherever they are, but hey, these are coming to Malta and they leave money behind ... for some of us, Maltese, to fleece, may I add.

I quite agree that the Federation, presided so ably by a certain Mr Spiteri, should now be held accountable for its actions! And that, Messers Grech and Busuttil, is the main thrust of this news item, not some other minor point.

Aldo G. Portelli

Jul 17th 2008, 11:01

Students leaving a mess behind them may need to be disciplined. In the meantime correspondents must not forget to remember our efforts to bring them over and the resulting income derived.

steve busuttil

Jul 17th 2008, 10:56

Well i think that these language schools are also a problem.

These students are using the public transport more than the Maltese public (in summer) and as such are benefitting from all the subsidies that the goverment is giving out of our taxes.

How about someone sues all the language schools for the nuisance they are causing in Sliema and St Julians?

B.Borg

Jul 17th 2008, 10:54

This is music to my ears. Everyone who suffered damages should follow. On the other hand the government should send the bill to the Transport Federation to pay for the deployment of Police to open blocked roads. A strike is meant to hurt, at least their pockets.

Julian Rizzo

Jul 17th 2008, 10:51

Completely agree

Noel Cutajar

Jul 17th 2008, 10:50

A bit contradictory as the language schools have said that students had to walk for 2.5 hours!! so they forgot to pick them up or to try for some sensational comments!!

george grech

Jul 17th 2008, 10:38

wot about the mess your students make in summer ???