Tony Zarb slams budget, UHM welcomes incentives

Aldo Demanuele

Nov 5th 2008, 05:37

This country has most of its population biased Blue or Red , whatever the party does is good.Thanks good there is a group of unbiased and open minded group which vote as they feel to any of the parties.I'm one of them I learnt and I don't have a fixed party for years now.

I'm sorry to say that certain institutions are also politically biased and is clear on comments after budget.

Whatever the comments , the truth is that with all taxes and costs - including water/electricity fuels and coming natural gases , costs are soaring with wages/salaries at same levels , We can't be compared to other countries since we have half or even less in some occassions of their salaries/wages.The truth is that it became a costume to rise taxes and costs before / or later after budget so these aren't remembered as budget issue,at bthe end the fact is that as a population we aren't financially meeting ends.
Where worldwide there is a drive to stall taxes and costs increases so to leave economy turning , we're the exception of the rule!

EDWIN DE MARCO

Nov 4th 2008, 22:03

Edwin DeMarco@Robert Cassar
I did likewise & I fully agree with you. I think there are a lot of disgruntled Nats at present . Perhaps the PM will call an early election just to show the majority that his local policies are right. I'll bet my bottom Euro (quickly coming to it after paying the a-coming W&E bills) he'd really get the shock of his life & I certainly don't mean an electrical one!

EDWIN DE MARCO

Nov 4th 2008, 21:50

Edwin DeMarco@Keith Davis
I think you have misinterpreted the issue. What i meant was that having a salary, in UK, four times as much as in Malta will leave you in a better position to pay high W&E bills.

J Mugliett

Nov 4th 2008, 20:03

Dusty William

Apparti li hadd ma kien jaf le bil-mewg kbir li kien gej mix-xena internazzjonali, tant li hu minnu li hadd ma kien jaf li anqas l Labour qatt ma semma xejn u kien anzi wieghed affarijiet kbar. Apparti hekk fil-program elettorali memx meta kienu ha jitnaqsu t-tax bands kollha jekk hux fl ewel sena jew fit-tieni, nistiednek terga taqrah pls.Mhux fair fl-opinjoni tieghi li nipretendu li program elettorali ta 5 snin jitwetaq kollhu f'sena.Ix xoghol bda u jibqa miexi bil-mod.Pls note li jien miniex l-MP.Grazzi hafna.

Keith Davis

Nov 4th 2008, 13:44

@ Edwin De Marco
Thanks for telling us that our W&E tarriffs compare well with foreing prices such as the UK, that means that the Government is pricing correctly.
Regarding the wages in UK, do you think that when we purchase fuel/energy from oil companies abroad they give us cheaper prices just because we have lower wages then the UK or other countries? So hence you are just comparing apples with onions!

dusty william

Nov 4th 2008, 13:41

J Mugliett

Blah Blah Blah ... allahares taqta qalbek maghkom ... Lili ghidli ghalfejn ma wettaqtux il weghda ta qabel l'elezzjoni tat-tax bands? ghalfejn mhux kollha kif weghdtu 7 xhur ilu. Nahseb kontu tafu li gej shab iswed allura ghalfejn weghdtu dan?
Dak kollox li tafu taghmlu titmejlu bin-nies. Mhux bija ta.... nahseb ridtu l'elezzjoni hux.


Suggeriment, jekk vera tridu theggu lin nies jixtru karrozzi izghar sa hansitra roti, ghax ma tbihhux il BMW's taghkom tal Gvern u tixtru fejn naf jien xi rota jew xi karrozza izghar halli ma tafx u ... ghax intom tafu tgawdu ta fejn tridu imma l'poplu li ibaghti qieghed u dan mhux sew. Ma niddejjaqx nuza rota pero l'ewwel ezempju ghandkom taghtuh intom li qed tissuggerixxu dan kollu.

Mario Farrugia

Nov 4th 2008, 12:57

Any comments on the budget and the current economic crisis should be taken in the context of what is happening to all other economies in Europe, US, Asia, Australia...no matter how much everyone loves our country (MLP, PN, UHM, GWU etc...)....we are not immune to the rest of the world. So a bit of common sense when giving judgement is in order.

EDWIN DE MARCO

Nov 4th 2008, 12:36

The following UK electricity rates are just for the information of Maltese (local) domestic consumers who, like me, have had the new tariifs for electricity rammed down their throats by force and who have no other alternative choice.

RATE 1. 18.519pence - (Euros 0.23c) per kWh
RATE 2. 09.842pence - (Euros 0.12c) per kWh

The local rates are priced so, according to official WSC website.

BAND 1. Euros 0.16c1
BAND 2. Euros 0.17c3

If one adds up the rates they turn out to be almost the same, (x'kumbinazzjoni!!), save for about 1.6 eurocents more in UK, which is about 1.04% more to pay.

Oh! I forgot to tell you one important thing. The UK average wage is about 30,000 Stg or more per year. Or if you prefer about Lm16.000/Euros37,000 circa,; an example of a EUropean salary, which will never see the light in Malta (excuse the pun!). But anyway, they're not so lucky as we are in Malta ( the best country in the whole, wide world) as they will never be given FIVE free light bulbs. Wanna save on electricity bills? Switch off your mains switch prior to going out and enjoy spending the FOUR Euros generously given...

m.farrugia

Nov 4th 2008, 12:27

cosmetic income tax cuts? - one year tax free incentive for working mother could easily mean Lm1000 a year in a family's pocket, hitting two birds with one stone, encouraging participation of women in economy and leaving considerable disposable income in family's pockets

J Mugliett

Nov 4th 2008, 11:44

Budget ta' responsabilita, budget ta' vizjoni, fid-dawl tas-sitwazzjoni problematika fl-ewropa kollha. Investimenti kbar fl-Edukazzjoni u l-Ambjent. Riformi utli hafna ghall-gid tal-pajjiz, li jinhass vera l-htiega taghhom, u li dalwaqt waslu biex jigi implimentati. Certu mizuri ohrajn ittiehdu b'responsabilita u b'kawtela, kif jitlob iz-zmien li ghaddejin minnu. Kuragg, flimkien nistaw nimxu l-quddiem.

Antoine Grima

Nov 4th 2008, 11:30

Don't forget guys , that , what was said in the budget , is not a forgone conclusion of what we are to expect . From tomorrow the government would have already ignored the budget and any promises made . I cannot understand the meaning of a budget nowadays

Steve Rogers

Nov 4th 2008, 09:36

@Martinelli,

Joe, could you explain to us how you have the nerve to comment about what is going on in Malta when you are far away in Canada, having it good? Come back to Malta, and live the life we are living before you pass judgement. If its such a paradise here what are you doing in Canada? Don't you think your better off following tonight's election on TV?

Canada is one of the cleanest countries in the world. It is produces a high amount of oil. It is also a very large country with a very low population density. There are more Canadians in New York and Michigen then in Canada because they freely cross the border. Does it sound like Malta Joe? Leave us in peace...

Joseph E Briffa

Nov 4th 2008, 09:31

To all the moaners and groaners...what did you expect from the Budget at a time when there are financial crises all over Europe and the US? Are you living on this planet or in outer space? When overseas markets are shrinking and workers in China and India are being paid peanuts, did you expect a substantial increase in the cost of living award to make us more uncompetitive? Don't you realise that times are extremely hard for everyone? Do you think we can carry on the same way enjoying a subsidy on our energy rates, driving aimlessly round Malta at 30 k/h guzzling fuel as if it came cheap and polluting the air in the process? Do you think we can afford to have hotels lit up all night and let the taxpayer subsidise the hoteliers' bills? Do you think we should carry on allowing run-off water to find its way into the sea? Don't you think we should all collect rainwater from the roof-tops and store it in a cistern and use it for washing and flushing tanks? Don't you think that industry should make use of solar panels to heat their water thereby saving energy from fossil fuels?

Keith Davis

Nov 4th 2008, 09:20

Dear Tony Zarb, We thought you had to resign time ago together with Dr. Alred Sant, especially when you made the well known 'frogia' of Sea Malta, pushing the minority's wants against the jobs' safaguards of the majority.
You have lost thousand of subsribptions since then and GWU will keep loosing with the prepotancy of Mr. Zarb at the helm.

J Sammut

Nov 4th 2008, 09:15

@Robert Cassar
don't be. Remember there was no adequate alternative anyway; any party would have had to do the same. These measures are not far different from what Sant proposed when he was elected. At the time we thought it was outrageous. Our sad reality is that our country lacks any significant resources, and everything comes at a price. A few mistakes have been done in the past - Shipbuilding, Mater Dei, Seamalta, Gozo Channel terminals, etc, and we all need to bear the brunt. Where else would you get money to fund Mater Dei. We need to realise that whatever government gives, be it subsidy,children's allowance or public service, the gov must get back from taxation, as there is no other way for Maltese gov to make money . What we need to do is start holding gov officials accountable for how they spend OUR money. We dont do this, & we allow politicians to dupe us into thinking we can trust our public affairs with them. It's time for heads to start rolling.Minister promised a tax cut, but got his figures wrong - RESIGN. Let someone else do the job. Let's stop glorifying parties & people.

John Debattista

Nov 4th 2008, 08:41

IL Gvern ma ghadux jiftahar Budget bla Taxxi issa. ISSA INT POPLU MALTI SA Tattendi ghall PROTESTA LI SER tigi Organizata nhar il Hadd. Jew se tkun Passive u thalli lil hadd iehor immur, AHSIBA SEW HABIB / HABIBA u Attendi mhux hafna BLA BLA, jekk ikun il bzonn Strajk Nazzjonali issir QUM POPLU Malti u insa il KULUR tieghek.

Byron Camilleri

Nov 4th 2008, 08:40

I wonder if UHM is a worker's union anymore!

l Galea

Nov 4th 2008, 08:39

J Martinelli
You comment because the budget does not affect you and simply want to defend your MINORITY Gonzipn Government.
Just wait for next Sunday and you will get your answer as to whether the people they had a good budget.

UHM: WHAT ABOUT ASKING FOR A €100 A WEEK PAY RISE? YOU DID ASK FOR LM9 PAY RISE WHEN COST OF LIVING WAS MUCH CHEAPER.

J cassar castaldi
UHM: UNION HADDIEMA MAHDUMA

Stephen Zammit
Why harp continuously for women to work? Provide them with work if they want to but stop pushing them to because their family cannot live without them going out to work.

adrian micallef
Forsi kien hemm min waqghulu xi ftit u tawh idea.

C Calleja

Nov 4th 2008, 08:28

ahhh the uhm is happy now, even tough the new bills were not withdrawn .

11 years ago gejtu @ co were already in the streets organizing protests against utility tariffs bills that actually were never issued.

Muscat Paul

Nov 4th 2008, 08:23

The middle class has to bear the grunt of this budget. As a middle manager working with a foreign company, I am finding that my "net" disposable income is fast disappearing. To add insult to injury, I have a five year old car, which I have to change soon, even though it is garaged and in very good condition. The roads , in the meantime continue to be in shambles!
The 4 euros increase a week is a joke considering the hike in energy tariffs,inflation and new taxes. It is a budget for cynical political convenience, but memory in five years time would serve me right!

J cassar castaldi

Nov 4th 2008, 08:07

@Mr Martineli
Dear Mr Martinelli if things are so good here as you state wy don't you pack your things and cme back here. Share some of the good taxes we have. The W&E tariffs and this budget will cost me about Euro 2500 more next year and in return i get a Euro 135 tax savings.

Oh and you nearly made the record for finding one excuse after the other about about all theses monstrous taxes imposed on the maltese tax payer (are you one?) and the incompetent way Gonzi and PN is and has governed over these years......But gonzi bet you to it.

anne buttigieg

Nov 4th 2008, 07:42

Xi snin ilu kien hemm union li talbet 9 liri zieda fil gimgha ?
wara dawn il mizuri kollha x messa talbet ?
la dawl u ilma gholew nistghu nghidu li kollox se jghola u biex ma nsemmux li hareg ll bierah
licenzji tal karozzi
fuel u diesel u bdin ukoll irridu jergghu jgholew xi servizzi u affarijiet ohrajn .
Imma sa fejn naf jien iz zejt mhux qieghed taht 85 dollar il barmil? mela ghaliex wara li splodejna id dawl u l ilma ,gholejna il petrol u diesel ukol meta pajjizi ohra fl unjoni ewropeja qeghdin jaraw kif se jrahhsuh.
mela ahna qeghdin fl ewropa meta jaqblina biss ?

Robert Cassar

Nov 4th 2008, 03:06

@ J Cassar

I am not ashamed to have always voted PN however lately I feel VERY SORRY and DISGUSTED to have done so !!

silvio farrugia

Nov 4th 2008, 00:20

So in all countries fuel prices are going down and over here we increase them,as if they are not already high.How quick was the government to increase prices at the pumps when oil was going up...all over the world petrol is going down in price....oh why did we have to be born here....always taken for a ride and treated like imbeciles...by the way I voted PN

J Martinelli

Nov 3rd 2008, 23:48

@ Raphael Muscat

Why would Gejtu Vella do any homework like you suggest if, when he presents you with answers you will automatically not accept them?

Labour never changes - if tax bands were widened, that was not enough.
If petrol went up e,03 per litre - that was too much
What about the rest of the budget?
Who gives two bits whether there is a worldwide economic crisis?

What did most governments do to combat lung cancer? - raise taxes on cigarettes.
Why increase the tax on petrol? - to get people to car pool and use public transport. Is that such a bad idea?

What kind of budget would a Labour government have presented? Lots of giveaways to keep people happy for the short term only to pay double later on!

You guys don't forget to go for that 'manifestation' with your new toy called Joseph on Sunday. You will help the economy - more bus trips - more fines for littering - more soft drinks sales - more pastizzi sales. The more the merrier! Oh yes, don't forget to buy a new Maltese flag to make you look like patriots.

J cassar castaldi

Nov 3rd 2008, 23:15

Hi guys did you have a look at the vehicle tariffs....tal-Biza. Allpn voters should be ashamed of themselves. UHm tal-misthija....members should resign and not pay gejtu vella's salary. traitors of the workers. lekka kuli.

Oliver Cini

Nov 3rd 2008, 23:14

It is a difficult budget.My self before commenting any more i would like to read it once more it is online all ready...I like the unemployment part and the pools and the yacht's and the plastic bags,pensions,and the alternative energy part of it. the cars i still need to read more to understand how the others might effect the economy but i still need to understand it as a whole tax cuts are rather small but at least there is something going on. As i said some measure need more tough since Tonio Fenech didn't elaborate. the bicycle p[art is just a joke our roads are not meant to have them and 15% on 200 euros is a joke. The increase in fuel is a hard one to be honest 0.03 p/l is hard to swallow i consume 30 liters per week it's 1 euro per week more those make it 52 euros cents for me to correct the first person posted the government is gonna invest more into Mcast and Uni that is a direct investment into students. the women tax cuts it helps but is not enough i stop here and read more.....

Joseph Meli

Nov 3rd 2008, 23:01

A responsible budget...certainly but not for the middle class who since we became an Independent Republic, carried the burden of all the wrong decisions taken by the different governments. The spending power of the middle class has been diminished & this is a fact. I favor a capitalist system where I pay for what I consume & pollute...but this needs to be balanced by a heavily revised income tax system. I expected more incentives for individuals & couples to invest in private pension funds & private health insurance. It seems to me that the members forming the Social Partners Committee are alienated by party politics, industrial & commercial interests. Hon. Minister you did not disappoint us…the Government did because no concrete action has seriously been taken to safeguard our current investments & our future well being. Most of the incentives announced are 10 years too late....even though one should argue that it is never too late. But repeating mistakes is unacceptable. Where is the investment in the Creative Industry? All the emerging economies of recent years heavily financed this sector. The Maltese Government, year after year continues to treat this industry as a ghost sector! Enough said from my end...!

Silvan Cutajar

Nov 3rd 2008, 22:41

What a joke UHM is. And I cant understand why people remain members of this joke union that never achieved much for workers anyway!

Stephen Zammit

Nov 3rd 2008, 22:25

GWU can be praised for being the biggest union in Malta but definitely not for being very enterprising in its first reactions after each budget. Sorry, omitted Nationalist budget... That's what I meant.

I would have predicted this months ago. Oh well...

Did GWU miss the one on income tax bands, the one on integration of more women in the market force, the eradication of abuses from unemployment benefits, the ETC schemes for training and retraining, the incentives in the tourism sector in creating jobs, and the investments in education infrastructure for more skilled workforce and....

forget it...

I bet GWU reaction for 2010 budget announcement would be more of the same...

Joseoh Dalli

Nov 3rd 2008, 22:13

L-ewwel Comment tieghi, kien favur Tony Zarb, u kontra id-decizjoni tal-UHM.
(ghax ndunajt li stajt ninfthiem hazin)

RAPHAEL MUSCAT

Nov 3rd 2008, 22:07

Geitu vella are you serious with your comments? are you living in Malta or not?

Please go home and make your homework well re the budget and them come again and give us your revised reaction, cause we all know that our pockets are going to fork out money to fix the government incompetence

Joseoh Dalli

Nov 3rd 2008, 22:04

Ghaliex, kapaci tmerih?
Lanqas il-UHM, ma hi se tmerih.
Anzi, il-Unions, bis-sahha ta' Tonio Fenech, u ta' Austin Gatt, irnexxielhom ikunu ta' fehma wahda, anzi, dawk li sa ftit zmien ilu kienu dejjem jappogjaw in-nazzjonalisti, illum huma ta' fehma ohra,. Qeghdin jiddikjaraw flimkien, car u tond, li issa mhuwiex iz-zmien li meta l-ekonomija ghandha bzonn rangatura minn fuq s'isfel tkompli tgharraqa, bil-Maltempi u s-shab iswed!

adrian micallef

Nov 3rd 2008, 22:04

budget ta vera> Jista jghidli xi hadd kemm ha joghlew il licenzji u nista nsaqsi lil ministru din tar roti kif gietu f mohhu ?

Joseph Agius

Nov 3rd 2008, 22:03

bla bla bla....another issa daqshekk in the offing?

Joe Bonnett

Nov 3rd 2008, 22:01

To geitu vella and UHM co OQBRA MBAJDA

jason mangion

Nov 3rd 2008, 21:59

prosit to UHM it confirmed what sort of union are you ? Kif tista tghid li dan kien budget bilghaqal u kawt .

Martin Gauci

Nov 3rd 2008, 21:59

What do you expect that he will praise the government? the prime minister and all the cabinet should be ashamed of themselves , and should explain many things to us. They deceived us and are trying to play the fool with us. Now really Enough is enough .

J Cassar Castaldi

Nov 3rd 2008, 21:59

A poor budget. At this rate of income tax reduction it would take a hundred years to achieve what the government promised before the last election. What courage? If Gonzi was courageous he would have faced the problems he has created and not turn to us to pay for his mistakes.

Manuel Micallef

Nov 3rd 2008, 21:58

David Vella, please can you subsidies the increase in Petrol, licences, water and electric yourself then? thanks

David Vella

Nov 3rd 2008, 21:41

Oh ...no surprise there .. probably had the press release prepared before the actual budget speech itself ...