Cynthia Busuttil
It's time for action - Muscat
Families paying for more than they consume
The General Workers' Union was the only social partner taking part in the manifestation. Picture shows (from right) GWU secretary general Tony Zarb, GWU president Victor Carachi and deputy secretary general Michael Parnis. Photos: Matthew Mirabelli
The new water and electricity bills are equivalent to a surcharge of 194 per cent at a time when oil prices are going down, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.
"Someone who consumes €100 worth of electricity will have to pay a bill of €294," he told a huge crowd that attended a manifestation against the tariffs hike.
He said the increase came at a time when the surcharge should have started going down, from 95 per cent in the past months to 61 per cent at the end of October.
Moreover, backdating the new rates undermined the country's credibility. Dr Muscat said that since the bills would be based on calculations, some families will pay for more than they consumed.
"It is shameful theft," he said, adding that tariffs were increased so the government could cover 20 years of inefficiencies.
Insisting that yesterday's event was not a partisan one, Dr Muscat said he will be calling for action to make people's lives easier. In his reply to the Budget Speech in Parliament this evening, Dr Muscat said he will be proposing measures to help those who had the courage to set up their own business. He will also be asking for help so that new graduates can find a good job and decent free health care rather than never-ending waiting lists.
"People want accountable leadership that assumes responsibility for its actions," Dr Muscat said.
"We need a new leadership which acts so that the cost of living does not continue eating out of families' salaries; so that fuel prices do not keep increasing and parents do not have to lower their standard of living to educate their children.
"We need action so that the government is accountable and uses your money properly rather than waste it," he said.
Dr Muscat said people had been promised a lot before the election but were now getting the opposite and the quality of life of workers, small business owners and pensioners was deteriorating.
"I come from a generation that is fed up of the usual politics. Now is the time for the government to work for the people and not the people work for the government," he said.
Referring to the international financial situation, Dr Muscat said Malta was lucky not to have been affected but, rather than take advantage, the government had decided to cause a crisis.
"The government should be putting money in people's pockets and not the other way round," he said.
The General Workers' Union attended the event, which the MLP insisted was a manifestation and not a protest, during which thousands of people walked along Republic Street to the Presidential Palace carrying placards accusing the government of being heartless and describing the budget as lacking a vision.
The other social partners decided to shun the demonstration perceiving it a partisan event.
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Ray Gatt
Nov 12th 2008, 14:30
Semghu lil Joey jghid il-prim ministru Austin Gatt u ghandna zewg prim ministri u jirrepetuha bhall pappagalli. Mhux capaci jahsbu b'mohhom.
@ I Galea (Labour apologist) - Ghal l-informazzjoni tieghek fl-1998 kienu diga hargu xi kontijiet u Sant kien qal li hargu sbaljati sabiex issir hsara lil gvern. Sant dejjem hekk kien, jaghmel hazin hu u jwahhal f'hadd iehor. Il-kontijiet li hargu kienu dehru fin-NAZZJON TAGHNA.
@ Joe Galea - I can assure you that nobody enjoys paying more. We're mentioning the bills of 11 years ago in the context that then your beloved GWU did not protest, but studied and studied and studied and studied and studied and studied and on and on and on and on...................................... . Whereas now, simply because PN is in power, it calls for the people to demonstrate. Who's immature then???
Ray Gatt
Nov 12th 2008, 14:02
@ Peter Busuttil - the other unions are able to tell between a political party manifestation and a union protest. The GWU is unable to do this since it's part and parcel of the labour party. UHM and other unions strike when PN or MLP is in govt., whereas GWU only acts when PN is in govt. I dare you to contradict me. The GWU is no good for it's members when labour is in power.
From the photo it seems they're all starving especially TZ. And probably the lady holding the flag can't afford the W&E bills since she spent all on the gold bracelets on her arms and probably her neck too.
Marcel Dingli
Nov 12th 2008, 11:16
You know what we argue about at MLP clubs ??? Who of us was the staunchest Nationalist.
J. Abela
Nov 11th 2008, 23:47
@Joseph Mangion
If you REALLYy believe that in the near future Malta will be bubbling with cool tech and smart alternative energy widgets then do so. However it in the interest of many of us who must defend their families, earnings and living.
If you continue to believe in Santa Claus do so Mr. Mangion.....good luck!
MIKE MAGRI
Nov 11th 2008, 19:03
*****************************************************************************************************
@ Joseph Mangion..... U mela le habib.... Here it goes.....
If i am that Mr Tile Layer, of course i will increase a bit my price, but surely, i would not charge 3 or 4 times as much right...? Otherwise i will not remain competitive, and by by tile laying completely...!!! Correct...??
Mr. Mangion, NO ONE is asking to have his utility bills at ZERO cost... But simply, at this moment in time, the middle and bottom class Citizens, CANNOT AFFORD to forge out any more monies in various invented taxes, and ASTRONOMICAL utility costs..!!! That`s all habib..
In the meantime, i, like many, many, many, many others would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Josepf Muscat, Leader of the Opposition for his VERY INTELLIGENT manner in which he presented his reply to the budget presentation of Dr. Gonzi...
THANK YOU JOSEPH.... KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK...
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V.Micallef
Nov 11th 2008, 18:45
Mr Mangion, whom are you asking? The Unions will give you their answer come Friday.
Joseph Mangion
Nov 11th 2008, 15:18
Mela, answer me this, if you are a tile layer and charge €5 per meter, and all of a sudden, the material you user doubles it's price, what will you do, keep on charging €5 per meter?
The same example goes for the electricity tarrifs, no one likes to pay more but it's the same example. Now this hedging agreement ends and hopefully we'll purchase oil for less money, in the meantime it makes sense investing in alternative energy. It's useless painting the scenario red or blue since this has nothing to do with local politics, however Joseph Muscat is using this scenario to make some noise.
eric saliba
Nov 11th 2008, 12:27
@ j martinelli. very funny comment. what you forgot to mention is that malta has 2 prime ministers.....with the unofficial one ignoring the official one all the time!! aren't we lucky?
i bet that you couldn't find a single positive thing from joseph's speech !!
@ all other PN apologists. if joseph was so bad why are you so desperate and nervous? are you afraid the people in the street know who's right and who's wrong??
john borg
Nov 11th 2008, 12:16
issa naraw jekk il priminstru ux ha jghid li il unions u l ishab socjali kollha qed jaghmlu teatrin ukoll . F dal kaz it teatrin nafu min qed jaghmlu ghax hlief jipprova jilqa id daqqiet min kullimkien m huwiex jaghmel . Dall gvern haqqu midalja ghax li jghid haddiehor dejjem hazin u li jghid huwa kollox tajjeb .
Prosit sur gonzi jew sur gatt ghax insejt min qed imexxi ?
Joe Galea
Nov 11th 2008, 11:44
@Joseph mangion and co.: I am amazed at people like you who can't see beyond their blue blinkers. Because of people like you malta never went far ahead. keep on living like an ostrich with your heads buried in the sand.
JM has started a wakening process, waking up the Maltese from the poisonous anesthetic the GonziPN managed to inject throughout these 20 years governed by mismanagement, unaccountabilty, corruption and incompetence.
Joseph Mangion
Nov 11th 2008, 10:55
Joseph Muscat does nothing other vague talking and uses all available opportunity to make a show of himself. So now if the price of cheese goes up we'll have another protest, and that of bread etc etc. I do not like paying more for things but I put everything into perspective and see if I have any alternatives to reduce expenses.
JM is doing none other than making a child's show and stamping his feet to make some noise.
Karl Abela
Nov 11th 2008, 10:44
If you sift through Dr Muscats speech you will find nothing worthy. Only nice words to make you feel better. Lets be honest with ourselves, what is Dr Muscat really saying? Where is the substance? Where are the actual technical arguments that will really matter once he is in government? His nice words lack the substance that we are looking for.
Dont be fooled by Dr Muscat. Dom Mintoff will not come again to save Malta from a labour governement.
Marion Pace
Nov 11th 2008, 10:19
Edwin Formosa
What about Switzerland? As far as I know it did not join the EU and the Euro Zone. Its Banks and economy are still going strong! By the way we were there last summer, Some of the goods are only slightly more expensive than our, whilst others are the same or cheaper(I love going to supermarkets when abroad). Electronics are much cheaper! We are really becoming 'Svizzera fil Meditteran 'but only in the cost of living which is becomiong higher than Switzerland itself!
Joe Galea
Nov 11th 2008, 08:41
@Edwin Formosa & co.: For you all out there trying to glorify the disaster this government has presented as W&E tariffs, by referring what Labour has done 1 years ago, I just want to illuminate these people that, MLP has payed bitterly for a mistake like that...if you remember!! Also it doesn't mean that if someone does a thing wrong, another wrong is justified. It's a silly immature and nonsense way of thinking.
I hope you and your peers enjoy paying much more on everything including exorbitant utility tariffs. And please stop blaming it on the international situation. Yes we all know there is a world crisis, and in such crises a good government should find positive ways to incentivise the economy not killing it.
Moreover, we are paying more and more not due to oil or crises, but to make up for the 20+years of incompetence of an arrogant directionless anti-social government.
Ivan Visanich
Nov 11th 2008, 07:51
Well done Joseph for the manifesto but your party chose the wrong tune in chosing Coldplay's Viva La Vida,the song is about the rise and fall of an emperor,let's hope Joseph won't be,If someone listens to the lyrics..."Listen as the crowd would sing now the old king is dead,long live the king"...in this case Joseph Joseph and not Fredu Fredu...but in the next line "I discovered that my castles stand upon pillars of salt,pillars of sand",Does this refer to Toni Abela and Anglu Farrugia ? which in my opinion is the worst choice the labour party have done,theyr'e more of old rusty pillars rather than strong concrete ones as is most of the rest of the party.
J Martinelli
Nov 11th 2008, 02:53
More of the same!
First we had an author, now we have an actor! No wonder they get along so well together. Toni Zarb is the actor's agent and the producer is Anglu Farrugia.
With talents such as these who needs to worry about Malt's future?
andrew zarb
Nov 10th 2008, 20:56
its definitely time for action! A historic day occurred yesterday were hundreds of Maltese citizens sounded their voice against the new incredible tariffs which will hit thousands of Maltese families in the back leaving them with even less money in their pockets.
this shows the double face of Dr Lawrence Gonzi before the election and after the election when he said that the governments main priority will be to leave more money in the pockets of the Maltese families.
today we face a different picture to that painted before the election!
Andrew Cumbo
Nov 10th 2008, 19:10
@ Edwin Formasa
Sorry, are you one of those that you live abroad and come only here in Malta to cast your vote before every election? I think you forgot, or you don’t remember Prime Minister Austin Gatt saying that he will adjust the W/E bills and fuels with current market prices. I imagine that you have fringe benefits and you don’t bother for your fuel cost. I reckon also that you fully agree with the newly proposed unfair car licences as said made for the environment sake. Or you benefit from free transport for work that doesn’t involve in your daily expenditure. I also assume that you believed last Friday statement (in Xarabank program) from Minister Tonio Fenech that the rise in fuel price is because we pay for the refined oil, which is still at an expensive price. But don’t you remember Mr. Formosa that all from P.N. always quoted the crude oil, to justify fuel surcharge.
To let you know I am one of those working on four day week, and have to struggle and stretch my wage to pay the bills and increased charges to continue living a decent life for my family and myself.
a.dalli
Nov 10th 2008, 19:00
Yes crude may have been an average of USD 15.7 per barrel in 1998. But then when the NP returned to power one of the first things they done was to terminate the Oil arrangements we had with Libya. Why was this and who pushed us to do so? Sure Prof J. Bonnici has not taken a unilateral decision?
Muscat Paticia
Nov 10th 2008, 16:55
It is astonishing to read bloggers blaming everyone except the government for hiking the tariffs sky high! These remind me of students who had a heck of a time during lessons, and then blaming (who?), teachers and everyone else (but themselves), .......when they fail miserably in their exams.!
joseph cassar
Nov 10th 2008, 16:15
Since Dr. Muscat enterede politics he did not get one thing right, The EU membership, The Euro, should we beleive now that he is right, where was he 11 years ago when the utility bills were tripled by Dr. Sant, more expensive than today, did he participated in the protest by UHM, did the GWU participate in the UHM protest, they were studying the situation, and are still studying after 11 years, was Dr. Muscat demonstrating in favour of the businessmen yesterday, who cheat in their tax returns and vat, they are the ones who compalined most, should we subsidise those who abuse and the tax cheaters. the usual dgemgim by the few labourers (or Mintoffiani). may be to-night we here Dr. Muscat offering the solutions? When are you going to learn and stop being cheated by labour leaders for the last 60 years.
EDWIN DE MARCO
Nov 10th 2008, 16:10
Further to my previous comment here is the same consumption for 4 persons worked out on the "old" tariffs with 0% surcharge.
ELECTRICITY
6000 units/KwH consumption: Deduct 600 FREE units (p.a.) which have now "gone with the wind" (This is strictly dedicated to pensioners like me!)
6000 less 600 = 5400.
1800 units @ Euros0.0466c = E 83.88c
3600 units @ Euros0.0932c = E335.52c
TOTAL 5400 units = E419.40c - Meter Rent E27.95c
WATER
33 cubic metres X 4 = 132@ E0.384c = E50.69c - Meter Rent E27.95c
TOTAL W&E consumption is: E470.09c - W&E Meter rents E55.90c
There's no need to be an Einstein to work out that the previous 600 FREE units which are no more turn out to cost: 600@ E0.16c1 = E96.60c
Well, I was fantasising about drilling a well to catch rain water when I quickly realised that I lived on a first floor apartment! As for solar panelling: the bit of sun remaining on my roof, which is overlooked by higher buildings all sides, is used to dry the washing. I promised my wife a tumble-drier this Xmas but I'm afraid I'm not keeping my word....just like someone else is doing breaking pre-election promises.....!!?**
lGalea
Nov 10th 2008, 16:04
Edwin formosa
I cannot understand why some people continue to refer to the electricity and water tariffs in the hipe that the Goebbels propaganda or rather that some of the mud will stick when no bills were issued. I challenge you Edwin to show me one single bill that had the raised tariffs.
Such bills were never issued because Labour got wise as to what those running EneMalta wanted to do. Make the people pay for their inefficiency, something which Labour did not accept but which was gladly accepted by the minority Gonzipn Government.
J Farrugia
The Opposition and the Leader of the Opposition are not there to offer solutions, but to criticize the Government which is supposed to find the solutions.
J. Borg
Nov 10th 2008, 15:38
M. Frendo is right. Go on Times! Show us more of the pampaluni who went to listen to the new Obama!
EDWIN DE MARCO
Nov 10th 2008, 15:32
Joseph Muscat has been reported as saying that W&E will go up by 194%. In my opinion the hefty rise in consumption is actually 204%; also keeping in mind the rise in meter rents, an extra surplus of Euros68.10c. E65+59 = E124 less previous rents E55.90c = E68.10c.
I will give an example for a family of FOUR persons:
ELECTRICITY New Tariffs
1500 units per person X 4 = 6000 kWh. This is the average limit allowed if one is to get 20% reduction.
Band 1. 2000 units @ Euros 0.16c1 = E322.00c
Band 2. 4000 units @ Euros 0.17c3 = E692.00c
This adds up to E1014.00 less 20% (E202.80c) = E811.20c - Elec. meter rent E65.00c
WATER
33 cubic ms X 4=132 cu.m @ E1.40c = E184.80c - 20%(E36.96c) = E147.84c Rent E59.00c
A total of E959.13c for both W&E consumption + E124.00c meter rents
Same consumption for 4 worked out on the "old" tariffs with 0% surcharge works out so:
Water E50.69c Electricity E419.40c + both Meter rents E55.90c. W&E consumption is E470.09c.
Since the "comment" must only contain 200 words I will give these workings in another comment later on.
E470.09c = 100% so E959.13c is 204.03%.
Edwin Formosa
Nov 10th 2008, 15:23
@ M.Frendo "What is The Times' agenda now? "" Xi trid tghid biha ???
Paul Smith
Nov 10th 2008, 14:21
how can he say that Malta has not been effected by the credit crisis?
One would expect to see: A major downturn in tourism.
One would expect major electronics players (no names) to see a major impact on business
what else is it that you make? nothing. Therfore you will feel the credit crisis big time.
Corinne Vella
Nov 10th 2008, 13:54
Yesterday was an important day in Malta's history and it will long be remembered.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=x3wh9raeD_Y&feature=related
M.Frendo
Nov 10th 2008, 12:54
What is The Times' agenda now?
One would have expected a picture of the crowd (in thousands) to have accompanied the report, rather than a picture of GWU officials + ]a very sour caption.
Please note that the GWU 'is not the only social partner' lamenting about the rise in utility bills.
J Farrugia
Nov 10th 2008, 12:21
During the whole political manifestation, did Dr Joseph Muscat ever offer ONE solution to Malta's predicament? DId he tell them how HE is going to steer Malta through all this financial turmail goind round the world? Did he say HOW he is going to make oil purchases easier than at present? Did the manifestation bring down the price of oil (not crude oil) which we purchase from Italy and Libya? I heard nothing of this sort. So. Just walking down Republic Street we were and still walking we are.
Alex Tanti
Nov 10th 2008, 12:04
Austin and Tonio ought first hold to task all responsable at Enemalta to control all unaccountable losses, then and only then ought they consider any hikes,
else where is the accountability we voted EU for?????
G. Mangion
Nov 10th 2008, 11:37
@ Muscat. Patricia : Dr Muscat is speaking for us all, Nationalists and Labourites.
wrong !! not even for his fan's, why ? I dont blame j,m at all for the tawwig ta paroli, but thats politic speech, ( Progabanda) good for you if if you belief one word he said yesterday. honestly Pat, I do wish he J.M will come with some wise idea in the Parlament, for the W/E tarrifs today.
P Grech
Nov 10th 2008, 11:30
Do not delude yourselves - we, taxpayers, have to foot the bill whether we like it or not. It will either come out of our taxes or out of our utility bills and any re-casting of the numbers must still match the bottom line.
MIKE MAGRI
Nov 10th 2008, 11:10
WELL DONE JOSEPH.... Yesterday it was a GREAT DAY for YOU and the Malta Labour Party as a whole, as thousands of people flocked into valletta following your `Sincere Call` of action against the astronomical utility tariffs ...
You had concretely proven to us ALL, that you really MEAN what you say Dr. Muscat, and thus already showing that you are not only the Leader of the Opposition and the MLP, but when it comes to national matters that hurts mostly those in need, YOU ARE THE LEADER OF US ALL......
Thank you Joseph... And keep up the good work..... God Bless You and your Family.....
Edwin formosa
Nov 10th 2008, 10:30
''Referring to the international financial situation, Dr Muscat said Malta was lucky not to have been affected but......."" Is it just luck or competent foresight Joe ??. What if Malta took your zealous advice and didn't join EU and Euro zone ?? Iceland did take your advice and see what happened...!!! U hag'ohra Joe. Dan kif insejt li 11-il sena ilu intom stess ghollejtu t-tariffi meta l- prezz taż-żejt kien12-il dollaru.??? X'kontu taghamlu bil-prezz hames darbiet aktar? Ghidilna llejla Joe !!
Peter Busuttil
Nov 10th 2008, 10:30
What astonished me was not that the social partners boycotted the manifestation but that all the unions, apart from the GWU, did not take part. Do these unions REALLY represent their members or not? If the reverse had happened - Labour in government and the opposition had held this manifestation - would the social partners, unions etc have attended? Open your eyes and your brains, people, and you'll know the answer right away!
Muscat. Patricia
Nov 10th 2008, 10:11
Dr Muscat is speaking for us all, Nationalists and Labourites. A spade is a spade is a spade no matter which way one looks at it !
Philip pace
Nov 10th 2008, 10:07
From the report
'The other social partners decided to shun the demonstration perceiving it a partisan event.'
It looks to me that they got it all wrong.
The social partners are there because of the people who directly and indirectly sustain them by the money that ALL people spend and by the problems that ALL people have.
From what I read and heard there were many people present of different political beliefs, therefore their non participation does not hold any water.
Ethelbert Schembri
Nov 10th 2008, 09:53
Thanks to the LP, GWU and who ever participated in yesterdays beautiful manifestation that was a sign of courage for all the people of Malta .
Well done Dr Muscat !