Family-friendly measures 'must not undermine competitiveness'
Employers and the Prime Minister agreed this morning on the need for more family-friendly measures to encourage women to join the labour force but said that such measures should not undermine competitiveness.
The issue was raised at a breakfast meeting hosted by the PN ahead of the Independence anniversary.
The Director-General of the Malta Employers’ Association, Joe Farrugia, complained of the shortage of skills in important sector such as tourism, information technology and health. He also expressed concerns that inflation could put pressure on wages, insisting that wages had to be linked to productivity because it was only through increased productivity that Malta could retain competitiveness.
He also expressed concern that social benefits could be discouraging workers from seeking employment, and fuelling the black economy.
Mr Farrugia said the employers agreed that family-friendly measures were beneficial, but only as long as they did not interrupt production. Such measures, he said, should be customised and not imposed across the board. A market which was too regimented could be detrimental to the economy, he said.
GWU General Secretary Tony Zarb said the workers were seeing their purchasing power being eroded, but trade unions were finding it increasingly difficult to achieve an increase in salaries.
He warned that Malta could be facing a problem of exploitation of legal and illegal immigrants to the detriment of Maltese workers. The GWU, he said, would issue a position paper on this shortly.
MUT president John Bencini said the possibility of reduced hours could see a number of teachers returning to class.
Sandra Sladden, who heads the ETC, said unemployment in Malta was below average. She too spoke on the need to address the way how social benefits could be discouraging training and employment. Dr Sladden complained that a number of workers who were sent on training promptly produced medical certificates as a way out. It was also the time to revise the penalties for workers caught working illegally, she said.
Alan Camilleri, chairman of Malta Enterprise, insisted that labour costs needed to be controlled if Malta was to remain competitive in a cut-throat market. He suggested the drawing up of a road map on Malta’s future skills needs.
Winding up, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi referred to students’ stipends and said they would be retained, not for political reasons, but because their purpose was being achieved and more young people were continuing to study.
He stressed the importance of family- friendly measures to increase the female participation rate in the workforce, adding however that in seeking to attract more women to employment, the country should not undermine family values. Nor should Malta undermine its competitiveness.
Dr Gonzi reiterated the government’s view that the private sector as the motor of the economy, with the main role of the government being to appoint regulatory bodies.
He referred to the budget and said the country should not be afraid of taking decisions for change for the common good.
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Paula Abdilla
Sep 10th 2008, 21:26
Ehmmm!! Wasn't there a great Big uproar when Labour had said that they would stop the stipends!!!...Now that the election is over is it still going to happen!!!..And all you people who commented here against students getting a stipend...its because you dont have students in your house who are using it...and please don't generalize that students use there stipends for booze and drugs.....my kids have always used it for books and things to do with their studying....SO DONT blame all students over a handful who couldn't care less, the same can be said to workers who gamble their wages....Does that mean that wages should be stopped!!!!!!
jimmy magro
Sep 10th 2008, 20:45
For those that argue that increasing wages and salaries weakens competitiveness, I suggest they read Prof MIchael A Porter "ON COMPETITIVENESS". Those that try to weaken the purchasing power of employees by trying to make an impression that they are experts on competitiveness, better look at other factors that are weakening our competitive edge with not only south european countries but even with north african countries. One of the worst economic indicators is the large government defecit. The wrong mentality that government requires bureaucracy - have these people read re-inventing government a book that made governments think twice about their old structures and ill practices.
There is need for new direction. One of them to have creative civil servanys who can say no to their MInister. A yes MInister civil servant is only worth to be employed as an actor on the tv show Yes MInister.
Change. Change. Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change. Change. Change. Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change. Change. Change. Change. Change. Change. Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change.Change.Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change.Change. Change.
thank you
M. Fenech
Sep 10th 2008, 17:23
@ Mr. Chircop.
It is true that MLP tried to re-shuffle the stipends, but it is true also, that Mr. Evarist Bartolo, confirmed (post-election article) that the way it was being implemented, created unneccessary havoc amongst all ranks. There is a way on how to implement new measures. The inexperienced Mr. Bartolo tried to implement w/o negotiating and involving all parties in the discussion and eventual implementation.
Keith Azopardi
Sep 10th 2008, 16:58
In case the usual suspects ready to lambast Labour missed it, Muscat was echoing the EU Energy Commissioner on the issue of right to access energy.
Joseph made that argument in his article on Monday. But then, you might be too busy to get down and read something.
I. M. Dingli
Sep 10th 2008, 16:54
@ m farrugia
I was just pulling Mr. Fenech’s leg if you can read between the lines.
Anyway, MLP cannot do much about anything for the next 4 and a half years since PN is in Government so why are you expecting Dr. Muscat and the MLP to solve our problems? Unions have a bigger say than the MLP since Unions can call for strikes while MLP can’t or you expect MLP to start calling for persons to flood the streets and block traffic like it happened in the first week of July.
Are you suggesting that in order for proper action from the Government to happen, we need to strike and cause havoc? Wouldn’t that backfire on the MLP since most of PN supporters will be reminded of the dark ages of the 70s and 80s! X’tahseb?
S Debono
Sep 10th 2008, 16:46
Don't they mean "Friend's of the Family"?
Pull the other one Dott!
The MAIN issue that has always undermined competitiveness in Malta is the blatant "Hbieb ta Hbieb" mentality! The same old contractors are awarded the same old gov. contracts and provide the same poor service in each and every sector pilfering tax payers money.
And now they turn around and blame social services for the rut we're in. Why don't they create a real education system first and an instill a sense of ambition in society first. Before pulling the rug out from under the people they have left behind over the past 20 years!
And drop this MCAST farce..... it's not a real educational institution. It's nothing but a crutch for those who couldn't aspire to a real unversity education!
m farrugia
Sep 10th 2008, 16:30
@ IM Dingli
Joseph would have been much more productive had he not held the meeting with the director-general of European Affairs at the Czech Foreign Ministry this morning at all.
Conclusion of meeting:Access to energy should be a basic right
How Joseph, subsidising more families from our taxes? Govt subsidies to about 17,000 families who claim that they are unable to pay the surcharge is already a bit strange. There are surely families in need but a good no. of these families without doubt are families of kahhala, bajjada and handymen who declare only the bare minimum of their income, claiming to be under the poverty line!!
Joseph, the whole world is faced by these big problems and there is no easy solution. Making people believe that a change of govt (some day) will help to lower oil prices, inflation, food prices etc. etc. is just taking people for a ride.
I. M. Dingli
Sep 10th 2008, 16:02
@ D. Farrugia
What you mentioned in your last comment is true but there are students abusing of the smart card system too.
D. Farrugia
Sep 10th 2008, 15:43
@ P. Micallef
Upon reading your comment, I started wondering if I am living in the same Malta you mentioned.
Considering that the basic student stipend is Lm36 i.e. Euro 84 every four weeks...I wonder upon which credibility is your statement, which I am quoting hereunder is based...
"To name some from a long list: expensive mobile phones, cars, alcohol, drugs, Gozo farmhouses, expensive clothing, dining out. "
Going to university by bus for 4 weeks, 5 days a week costs the University student already Euro 28.
So by simple subtraction, a Maltese University Student is left with Euro 56 every 4 weeks.
So I would like to know from where, a student with a remaining Euro 14 a week can buy all these things you mentioned in your very but so untruly long list.
LOOOOOOOOOOL
I. M. Dingli
Sep 10th 2008, 15:36
@ nigel fenech
Actually MLP have organised something today too and infact they have even beaten PN by a mere minute
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20080910/local/access-to-energy-should-be-a-basic-right-joseph-muscat
N.B. PN is in Government and thus MLP is not obliged to hold any 'business breakfast'
nigel fenech
Sep 10th 2008, 14:51
Bla Bla Bla...??!!!
PN has a consistent policy pushing Employment, Education and the Environment top on the agenda.
Dialogue is yet another strength of the PN which make it a party on continuing renewal, without the need of earthquakes.
Can one tell me when the last business breakfast organised by the MLP was?
Obviously, they will now start to follow.
apgrech
Sep 10th 2008, 14:12
Lots of talking and no action. The PM would be more appreciated if he looks deep into the serious problems many families are facing with the high cost of living. He should ensure that people are happy and not in a desperate situation like many are.
Use common sense instead of political nonsense.
A.Demanuele
Sep 10th 2008, 14:00
@Mr.Micallef
Your comment makes mine very much unproductive. To start with, one cannot ask any body being governmental or otherwise to consult the people & then argue that what has been said is the 'usual bla bla'.
On the stipends I'm sure there is a political reason for them, however you should clearly check the amount of this stipend & you will realize your own mistake as their is no way how can one afford to buy, and I quote "To name some from a long list: expensive mobile phones, cars, alcohol, drugs, Gozo farmhouses, expensive clothing, dining out"!! Mr. Micallef do your homework please!
Another thing you should understand is that it is one thing if the government won't achieve its budget targets, and another of the budget deficit being sky high!! Take a look at budget deficits of most of the EU countries and you find they are much higher than ours.
To summarize up; we as Maltese are quite lucky that we live in a democratic country where everyone can say anything. But please use it to our advantage, think before you speak!!
Kevin Chircop
Sep 10th 2008, 13:26
Reading these comments makes me wonder how suddenly things start making sense or no sense when the PN is in government. During the short span of Labour in goverment back in the 90's, they tried to tackle the stipend issue by trying to make the younger generation earn the stipend (take a loan) rather than get it for free and go on a shopping spree. Conveniently for the PN , all hell broke loose!
Now, we are posing the same question, ten years later as if this issue cropped up now. No wonder, Malta lacks behind in very aspect when compared to other EU countries.
Is this shortsightedness or what?
J Farrugia
Sep 10th 2008, 13:23
I quite agree with Mr Micallef that while the Employers Association is dead set of going against the workers, they themselves are wasting time and money which should be employed much better. And to have the arrogance of telling the PM to cut off wages ... come off it.... leave us alone, will ye.
P Micallef
Sep 10th 2008, 13:02
The Malta Employers' Association is the leading force on the island to insist on better productivity before any wage increases is considered. Excellent.
From this morning's meeting it resulted that at least 2 hours have been wasted 'in production terms' since nothing has been achieved except the usual bla bla bla.
One comment on the PM's comment about the students' stipend. Since the Government is trying to make away with the subsidies how come we have to continue to keep this one on. The deficit as already sky high and there are no signs that the Government is in control of the situation.
As to how the stipend is being used, at least by the majority of the students, it seems to me that a visit to Paceville would give an idea how the money is being spent by our young, spoilt generation.
To name some from a long list: expensive mobile phones, cars, alcohol, drugs, Gozo farmhouses, expensive clothing, dining out.
From the 27 EU member states how many countries do give out that kind of money?
M. Debono
Sep 10th 2008, 12:44
The University stipends should be changed in a way to trigger students to work part-time whilst studying. Social cases will be given its due attention by a committee set-up by University to analyse cases on their individual merits, so that noone will be left behind should they want to pursue a career. These systems work efficiently in other EU countries. Why Maltese students are different? With the influx of Erasmus students in Malta, we have seen and experienced how EU students live, travel and enjoy life.