Hetronic Malta to go on 30-hour week

Denis Catania

Nov 2nd 2008, 22:31

@J Martinelli: Catch up to the present. You must of had a terrible past. Boy I remember back in 1971 when I use to walk to school 15 mile in 18 inches of snow . With no shoes. Than I went home and delivered 100 newspapers untill 10 PM again with no shoes. When I got home at 10 PM, I put my shoes on, to warm up my feet. This is what you sound like day after day. If sounds like you, Lawrence or Austin don't have a plan for the future. Please come up with one. Tick Tock, Tick Tock time is running out.

Next Halloween I'm going to dress like Mintoff and knock on your door. It would be funny seeing you running and screaming pulling on your hair. Relax Mr J those days are over, history, gone, goodbye, adios. Besides they weren't that bad.

M. Farrugia

Nov 2nd 2008, 17:05

Well well well, what can we say to you poor guys? Let nature take its course. I would like all those of you who didn't vote for the present government last March to turn on your fellow employees whod voted PN, give them a big hug, a thank you and ask them to show you the "Par Idejn Sodi fuq it-Tmun ta' Pajjiznna". I bet that the "Par idejn sodi" have left the wheel helm (It-Tmun) and are ready to give you a double slap in the face like they did to the Drydocks guys, Toly people etc etc etc. Enjoy!

David Scicluna

Nov 2nd 2008, 14:48

Dear Mr.Martinelli,
Apply for a post as a history lecturer, you are in demand.

G. Zammit

Nov 2nd 2008, 13:30

alan Falzon (1 day, 18 hours ago)
..as always persons write down their ideas that its Gonzi this, Gonzi that with a Dalli here and there...

I THINK YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.... SOUNDS LIKE 'OLD MCDONALS HAD A FARM'
may i add... lies here lies there everywhere a lie lie :)

G. Zammit

Nov 2nd 2008, 13:16

Another one bites the dust AGAIN.
This is where 'serhan tal moh' comes in AGAIN.

Lisa Galea

Nov 2nd 2008, 12:51

I am deaf to those who are blinded by political propoganda. Had government been more careful with money and had more vision we would not be in such a bad situation. The impact would have been milder.

It is useless making some see reason for it is obvious that they are comfortable. I will help and support those who live through hard times and can be objective. I do not sypathize with others who think they can teach a thing or two. Yes Halib tal-bott. I grew on that and dezerta, chocolates were a luxury and so were other things.

But that does not blind my eyes on a wreckless government which lacked foresight on issues like alternative energy and woke up to the need today. The promises where there, they just never materialised.

I will repeat, I am interested in what happens in 2008. Because that effects me on a day to day basis.

Dusty William

Nov 2nd 2008, 10:30

P Schembri

Couldnt agree more with you. But I never say they are afraid of the past cos I think what happened in the past they kind a like ... did any one watch Xarabank last Friday? what a shame they still use the Raymond Caruana issue and make it a complete political ball. They use these kind of things to frighten the new voters purposely .... stop here. Can we go on like this NO!

P.Schembri

Nov 2nd 2008, 00:21

@J.Martinelli. Stop living in the past. We're in 2008. Why are you so scared of a labour government? Maybe some things may be uncovered and shame the present party in government? What are you afraid of? All this scaremongering about what happened 20 years ago. Stop going to the past. Look to the future. Malta has no future under a PN government. And now we can see that after being fooled into voting it again in office last March.

J Martinelli

Nov 1st 2008, 20:22

@ Spiro Cardona

You should know better than that or perhaps you were too young to realize what kind of past we talk about!
You should direct your advice to the MLP which refuses to disassociate itself from its violent past by welcoming back the same people who had been thrown out of the party and hugging and kissing them back! Such a farce.

@ Lisa Galea

In 2008 you have all the means of bringing food to your table. In the Labour era, you had to wait for the government to import bully beef and margarine to get you by. There was absolutely no chance of food rotting on your table!

You say, "We have to look ahead and deal with today and tomorrow's problems". How true! But then whatever the government does in order to address your very concerns, you disagree with. In other words you want to use as much energy for a subsidized price and let the government pay the rest? And may I ask where 'the rest' is coming from? Your own very pocket, so why the fuss?

Why does the MLP not tell us where its magic wand is?

Monopoly money?

Denis Catania

Nov 1st 2008, 19:55

@Joe Vella: Stop living in the past. Young people want solutions for the future, unless off course you, Lawrence and Austin don't have any solutions. I pray for the day when I can use PM Gonzi again instead of Lawrence, should he ever start doing the job of a Prime Minister. As a Maltese. I wish Lawrence luck in finding a solution and the education he needs to lead our nation. My prayers are with Lawrence and the Maltese Islands.

Ronnie Gauci

Nov 1st 2008, 18:28

And amidst all this, these poor workers will start facing rises in electricity, water and gas. Nice timing.

Lisa Galea

Nov 1st 2008, 13:01

@ J.Martinelli

J. Martinelli what is happening in 2008 brings food on my table. If I left that same food on my table for 26 years it would have surely rotted away.

We have not learned from past mistakes because the ones you support are being bullies of the same kind. Perhaps you have clear interests in so obstinately negating the truths others say.

We have to look ahead and deal with today and tomorrow's problems, the past is gone and clearly PN has not learnt anything from it. People can see through the smoke of propoganda and manipulative journalism.

As for your naive assumptions on employment figures going up. Figures can be easily mismanaged. eg: If a person changes job 3 times in a year he/she is not listed as the same person but as 3 different individuals.

Der Speigel had published a Globalization special in 2005. Had the governments advisors read that issue they would have realised what lay ahead. And to those who doubt, yes the energy issue does go hand in hand with these problems. If a company gets higher bills it simply fires people. That is the equation.

Spiro Cardona

Nov 1st 2008, 09:09

J. Martinelli & Chris Ripard
You're both always trying to defend today's atrocious mismanagement by the PN government by going back to the happenings of decades ago. But even then your version of past history is skewered and blinkered. Whatever, whilst not forgetting the past, we should learn from any past mistakes and move on and concentrate on the present and the future. That's what should concern us more: today's dismal situation in Malta and more of the same in the next 5 years.

l Galea

Nov 1st 2008, 08:21

Joe Vella
The hikes you mention were never implemented because the Labour Government got wise to what the EneMalta chiefs wanted to do. I challenge you to present one single bill with a price hike. What Labour wanted to do was to solve the EneMalta situation which had been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent under Nationalist Governments when it had always made a profit under Labour Governments. The situation is much worse now because the Nationalist Government had done absolutely nothing about it.

Re the sewage tariff, it was going to be introduced because the previous Nationalist Government has entered into an agreement with the World Bank for a loan and it was stipulated in that agreement.

However you may try, you cannot change history Mr Vella.

J Martinelli

Nov 1st 2008, 01:33

@ Chris Ripard

Believe me, I am not putting my hopes of educating the deaf (those who will not listen) to any great height but I just cannot let them get away with twisting facts..

I hope these same people watched that show last night about a horrific event which took place 26 years ago and maybe, just maybe, they got an idea of the pinnacle of democracy our country was being propelled to,

But there is a saying in Maltese which if my memory serves me right goes like this, "L-iblah taqlaghlu ghajnejh jibqa jidhaq" - or something close.

@ CJ Buttigieg, Muscat, Schembri, Hili, Gahn

I don't know it all, just a bit better than your fantasy. If the country is in such a dire economic state, why month after month the number of employed goes UP and the number looking for work goes DOWN ?

The GWU, UHM, and MLP are not governing the country. If all their demands were to be met we would not have to worry about deficits, because we would be bankrupt. The government''s job is to listen, evaluate proposals, do what it can afford and make decisions in the country's best interest.

Joe Vella

Nov 1st 2008, 00:33

@Charles J Buttigieg

Only if Joseph Muscat and the MLP are quick as you in providing and putting forward ideas and solutions for us to consider and pass judgement wheter the MLP is a party destined to be in opposition or a government in waiting.

Just to remind you the following is what Leo Brincat and the MLP proposed in the 1987 budget:

1. Steep hikes in electricity and water consumption rates, doubling the old tariff rates;

2. The introduction of a new sewerage tariff;

3. Price increases of liquid petroleum gas.

As you can see the MLP not only wanted to tax you for the consumption but also to dispose of what you had consumed - sewerage tarrif. Not to mention the the great idea of "Taxxa fuq kull Bieb proposal. Another MLP imposed tax which you are familiar with would have bit the dust by the time you read this post.

Chris Riparf

Oct 31st 2008, 21:58

@ J. Martinelli

Do you honestly expect people who enjoyed queing all night to buy the only type of colour TV available to speak sense? Do you think people who were happy with Strowger (our 2nd hand telephone system picked off a South African scrapheap) can truly be objective? Their hearts bleed now for people on 30 hour weeks, but when all we could offer our youths (no MCAST, no Uni) were 'Korpi' at less than minimum wage, not a peep!

I admire your perseverance for trying to enlighten them but don't get your hopes up.

m farrugia

Oct 31st 2008, 20:47

OK Mr schembri but this has nothing to do with manufacturing concerns working 4 day and 30 hour weeks.
The reason for this is very clearly a decreased demand from the US and world economies.
Turning this commentary into a discussion on energy tariffs simply does not make sense.

J. Schembri

Oct 31st 2008, 19:00

@ the pessimists : can you leave the doom & gloom comments AFTER the budget next Monday.
Government is not that stupid to shackle the economy , it wants to make consumers responsible , and pay for what they consume.
@ C.J. Buttigieg :working in the stars and stripes land is not what you think it is at present , they have been living the reality before us , with even a bigger impact on their lives.
Some are saying that this is another "Wall Street crash".
BTW . has any journalist worth his salt asked the obvious question? "Are the workers in the other Methode production plants working reduced hours?"

alan Falzon

Oct 31st 2008, 18:49

..as always persons write down their ideas that its Gonzi this, Gonzi that with a Dalli here and there...

if every one is so clever, why not go into politics, get elected and we would all live happily ever after...
and for those who did not vote, you have no right to comment.

P.Schembri

Oct 31st 2008, 17:34

@A.Vella & M.Farrugia. We are not against the tariffs. We are against the mode at which the government is pressing them on us, and secondly the reason why. It hasn't got to do anything the energy crisis, or the rise in price of oil. Nothing of that whatsoever. That we are paying through the nose for Enemalta's inefficiencies and deficiencies that we don't like. And the problems the Government itself created. That's what we are grumbling about. If everyone, including the government does his part, there will not be any hardships. But as we all know, the blue elves here defend the Government because they're having it so good with our money. It's no excuse that the government needs money. It's the peope that need money, and fast.

Charles J Buttigieg

Oct 31st 2008, 17:33

@ Joe Vella. The answer is yes. Happy now? Now learn something from others.

Charles J Buttigieg

Oct 31st 2008, 17:26

@ Joe Martinelli One can’t blame one’s mother for catching a cold but one would be justified for blaming their mother if it degenerates to a bronchial infection due to lack of motherly care.

There is a thing called ‘A letter of comfort’commonly used by parent compnies to give some breathing space to their subsidiaries in distress. Never mind your precious Maple Leaf or your Stars and Stripes bed-partners our lot are living the reality of a tiny island in the blue med. and they are crying out load for that ‘comfort’.

The MLP is a prophet of doom and is to be ignored. But tell us Mr. Knowitall why are your protégées also ignoring AD, The GWU,UHM,FOI,the SME,all the constituted bodies as well as all of our Gurus in the field of economics ? Enlighten us!

m farrugia

Oct 31st 2008, 17:02

What have the proposed tariffs got to do with manufacturing concerns losing work mainly from the US, due to weakened world economy?

Bil Malta jghidu thallatx haga ma ohra.

F J Brincat

Oct 31st 2008, 16:28

Mr Gatt, the way you word your contribution, you make it seem like the Administration only this year discovered the necessity of adherence to the Masstricht treaty, the fact that WSC and Enemalta have to recoup their capital and investments and that subsidies are not allowed. This was hardly a secret.

PN has been in government for a long time and should have had the sense to stagger the increases over a number of years since 1999 not present and force such a sudden increase now.

Joe Vella

Oct 31st 2008, 16:21

To all the little Elves and the Doom and Gloom nay sayers. Let me see if I undersatand you right.

All of you are not against the new proposed tariffs, but rather the timing at which they are being introduced.

I shall await your answear

E.Psaila

Oct 31st 2008, 16:17

Dear Workers, do not think anyone will care. We are ruled by him, not Gonzi no, but by A. Gatt, yes A. Gatt. He does whatever he wants to do, whatever pleases him.

Can we do something? Soon there will be the election for the EU parlament, for people to go there, talk in tens of languages, do not understand each other and pass laws that affect our life, and earn around €30,000 annually. Let us show them that we do not care and not go to vote for anyone. Just be at home on that day and pretend it's a normal day. Let have a percentage of voters like other countries have, around 40% or if possible even less....

Muscat Peter

Oct 31st 2008, 16:11

160 Hetronic Malta workers will now work 30 hrs out of 40 hours per week and will get three-fourths of their salary. On top of this, crazy water and electricity bills will soon arrive at their homes.

Gonzipn stop this madness . You have reassured us so much before the election and now unemployment and bills are going berserk.

Gonzipn admit you have lost control and call an election, telling the people the exact truth and that you are your strong strong hands are getting weaker and weaker!!

Joe Borg

Oct 31st 2008, 16:04

ok i assumed that - partisan comments are so common here - i was wrong about you.

However, i don't agree with your approach to the reality.. i think one of Malta's biggest problems is people not declaring what they're earning and not govt. subsidising tariffs or cutting taxes in adverse times. People do know how to earn money.. that is the problem.. they know how to go around the system.

its the govt that needs to pull its socks and collect money from where its due and let the honest tax payers (mostly middle class salary earners) some money in their pockets for once!

dusty william

Oct 31st 2008, 15:56

Yes Mr Martinelli we from the MLP know whats happening around the world but our beloved government is not helping the situation. I think you are aware of how many shocks we maltese are getting from both Prime Ministers these days. So please...

William Gatt

Oct 31st 2008, 15:49

Not at all Mr. Borg. Where do I say that in my comment?

Frankly (I don't care) and it's not an issue on which colour occupies the majority of seats in parliament. The criteria have to be met irrespective of the colour, and so are subsidies to be controlled.

Kindly do not associate me with the traditional, partisan Maltese citizen. I try to be as impartial as I can when trying to understand what goes on around me. In other words, I use my mind.

Joe Borg

Oct 31st 2008, 15:34

WJ Gatt, so your fact true is blues increase taxes/tariffs to conform with masstricht and reds do that because they're anti-social.. right?

WJ Gatt

Oct 31st 2008, 15:17

All of you kindly keep in mind that the govt. isn't 'free' to do as it pleases...it must conform to Masstricht criteria and shape up its fiscal budget. Given that the deficit was reported to have increased year on year, I see little leeway in cutting taxes. Also EU rules limit the subsidies that government can give to a cooperative... in this case Enemalta. What would you have it do, cut pensions, or maybe reduce expenditure on Mater Dei?

Perhaps what you should all be saying is that we've all had it so good for the past decade, got used to getting our pocket money from government every week. Pull up your socks and learn to earn your own money!

Note that I have no incentive of 'defending' the current government. It is your failure to acknowlegde what is in fact true that causes me to leave comments.

Vincent Galea

Oct 31st 2008, 15:17

Sorrow suceeding sorrow.

P.Schembri

Oct 31st 2008, 15:08

As the situation is going, it more reminds of Emperor Nero playing his lyre while Rome is burning.

Clifford Davies

Oct 31st 2008, 15:07

As i have already mentioned before this is A Domino effect of yet more short working week in other sectors of the economy as yet to come in Malta and even worse for Gozo these islands tend to get a backlash a year or so later then most of the mainlanders. Europe is already cutting down and feeling the effects on everyone's daily life.. I can see a quiet Xmas this year lets hope 2009 is better and the banks start lending money for new ventures and first time buyers in the houseing market which sooner or later probably much sooner, going to stagnate faster then expected.

Manuel Micallef

Oct 31st 2008, 15:03

Economy is crumbling and government goes ahead taxing people and industry...

P.Schembri

Oct 31st 2008, 14:57

@Martinelli. We're very much aware of what's happening in the world around us. But it seems that your party in government doesn't. It's still living in cuckooland. While other governments are doing their utmost to keep the economy going, our intelligent government is increasing the tariffs, with their ripple effects on an already ailing economy. You know what that means. If you don't then you're living in an eggshell.

J. Borg

Oct 31st 2008, 14:57

Ms. Fenech: and if the government does not raise water and electricity rates how do you think the country can pay for its growing energy costs? Print more money perhaps?

P.Schembri

Oct 31st 2008, 14:56

@Gordon Pace. We're very much aware of what's happening in the world around us. But it seems that your party in government doesn't. It's still living in cuckooland. While other governments are doing their utmost to keep the economy going, our intelligent government is increasing the tariffs, with their ripple effects on an already ailing economy. You know what that means. If you don't then you're living in an eggshell.

Martin Camilleri

Oct 31st 2008, 14:55

Kindly read Mr Joe's Zahra article on today's In-Nazzjon and he is saying exactly as Joseph Muscat have been saying for the last ten days.. For the time being leave every deficit and balance of books behind, and leave money in the people's pocket.

Lourdes Hili

Oct 31st 2008, 14:55

@J. Martinelli
Please do every true Maltese a favour and crawl back underneath that stone.

Joe Borg

Oct 31st 2008, 14:51

Dear J Martinelli,

i think we all know this worldwide situation isn't the fault of our govt., however, what the current administration is trying to do is make things worse for us.. causing more companies to shutdown/reduce hours because of wrong timings of decisions...

Phil Press

Oct 31st 2008, 14:47

Off we go on the E.U. slippery slope, not be the first nor the last, less hours, less pay and bigger bills. Logical or what ???

Eric Gahn

Oct 31st 2008, 14:44

@ Maria Dolores Fenech
Why should the Govt not introduce the new electricity and water rates. These workers, and others who have gone on short work weeks, are still going to be paid for 30hrs work and beyond that they would still have blood that can be drawn. At the point where no blood, bile or other bodily fluids are available, I am sure Dr Gatt will again start talking to [whoever HE talks to] about the possibility of starting to chop fingers and toes as payment for services.

Gordon Pace

Oct 31st 2008, 14:31

@Maria Dolores Fenech
Keep hoping. The present Government, i.e Dr L. Gonzi as seemingly led by the nose by the two super oracles who can do no wrong, does not even keep its past promises. So how can you expect it to listen to the unions and all of Malta (well almost, the exception being the few thousands of die-hard, blue-eyed, never-had-it-so-good government apologists) and reverse its recent decision on the tariffs?

J Martinelli

Oct 31st 2008, 14:28

Sales determine the staffing and working hours of any manufacturing plant. Hetronic is cutting hours while still paying old rates.

Are you inferring that Hetronic is doing this in anticipation of the new rates?

Are you and the MLP not aware of what is happening around the world?

Maria Dolores Fenech

Oct 31st 2008, 14:01

Quote: It said the decision was taken due to a severe reduction in orders brought on by the current economic climate.
Will the govt now listen to the unions and the MLP and not raise the water and electricity tariffs?