PM invites GRTU to submit ideas on capital investment
(Updated)
The Prime Minister said this evening that he welcomed a request by the GRTU for a meeting and looked forward to hearing the chamber's ideas about capital investment.
The GRTU had requested the meeting in the context of the utility tariffs.
Dr Gonzi in a letter to the president and the director-general of the GRTU did not refer to the tariffs but said this was the time for courage to recognise the realities facing the country and the world. He agreed with the GRTU that this was the time for strong, productive capital investment to overcome the challenges which Malta faced, especially in view of the recession which was on Europe's horizon.
Although the budget had not gone into details, there were several major projects which were being considered by the government for the coming months, and the government looked forward to hearing the GRTU's ideas for such investment, Dr Gonzi said.
In its letter to the Prime Minister, the GRTU said it was seeking to present its proposals on the tariffs.
The chamber accused Dr Gonzi of having lost another opportunity in Parliament yesterday to bring unity between the social partners and the government at a time when the country’s economy was threatened.
The GRTU said now was the time for the government to invest heavily to reinvigorate and restructure the economy.
The water and electricity tariffs system as presented by the government did not make sense.
“We appeal to you not to insist on it any more”, the chamber said.
It said the tariffs had no realistic economic basis, they were unjust with all sectors of Maltese enterprise and a heavy burden on families.
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Lewis Balzan
Nov 14th 2008, 09:03
@Joe Vella
May I suggest that you remove your blinkers for a day and you don't just listen to NET TV or Radio 101 or read the Nazzjon. You'll find that there you're missing a lot and that's why your point of view is so skewered and biased. On the other hand if your GonziPN has run out of ideas they might as well do all of Malta a favour and call it a day. And not turn on the other side and ask "Imma kieku int x'kont taghmel?"
A. Attard
Nov 14th 2008, 08:39
@ Joe Vella
Give us a break! Dr Muscat made a lot of proposals which gonzipn didnt even consider! This is all propoganda to make people forget about tonight! EVERYBODY TO VALLETTA!
simon borg
Nov 13th 2008, 22:51
@joe vella
Mr Vella you are either not well informed or absent-minded...it was Dr Muscat, even years ago, that was a voice in the desert on calls for the government to introduce the culture of venture capital and many other types of investments. very european, very entrepreneurial. ...but this govt is afraid of hurting hsbc. go back some years and find Dr Muscat's and find his calls especially on venture capital. capital investments can only be taken seriously if coming from entrepreneurs and not just merely from the government. wikipedia yourself "venture capital" and find our for yourself what a progressive and wonderful form to achieve growth.
Albert Gauci Cunningham
Nov 13th 2008, 22:30
I have to say that the GRTU has been very proactive throughout this whole saga....it was the first organisation that came up with well structured, sensible and cost-effective alternatives, before any other organisation!! Though I'll be going to the protest tomorrow I think it is very unfair of some die-hards to accuse V.Farriuga of being partisan or even worse having a hidden agenda!!
......in a democracy everyone has his/her ways of expressing themselves.....and the GRTU clearly believes that manifestations and protests are not the way forward....at this point I disagree but I respect that decision and welcome the fact that the GRTU is coming up with good solutions!!
Pity the GRTU isn't a Political Party ;) !!
ivan scicluna
Nov 13th 2008, 22:22
What strikes me is that we are about to watch a huge u-turn on the utility tariffs by the Gonzi Administration. The united front presentated by 20 trade unions has sent shivers through the corridors of Castille and that a face saving formula is being sought. The "capital investment" initiative which the Prime Minister want to discuss with the GRTU is nothing but a gimmick to try and get the GRTU on board to accept a slightly revised tariffs structure that will accommodate the government but not the thousands of GRTU members who will be made to suffer the consequences of still higher tariffs than those already sky-high with a 95% surcharge. GRTU members should tomorrow join thousands of workers and professionals in the Valletta demonstration and show their elected officials that now it's not the time gimmicks but for action!
G Borg
Nov 13th 2008, 21:56
Is it fair that to help industries and employment, I have to pay ridiculous meter charges for just having water and electricity in my garage which is used just to garage my small car and which is just a few metres away from my house.
Perhaps, the Prime Minister will consider favourably also these instances ,same as he promised yesterday on the TV, to those families who own diesel cars.
I hope that common sense prevails and real social justice will be actually applied. One good comment on the Times was , that if Government will try to curb unnecessary spending , then we would not be again in such a mess.
Helping the Environment is a good measure, choking working persons' pockets in an unreasonable way is not.
jesmond zammit
Nov 13th 2008, 21:52
DIVIDE AND RULE
I Abela
Nov 13th 2008, 21:52
Isn't this just another case of government incompetence and VERY wrong timing ?? How can the government boast of major projects and capital investments in time of a recession? When the government 'Qas ghandu sold fuq xiex jahlef ?' In times of economic crisis and recessions, government should allocate money for Joe Citizen not for capital and major projects. In the case of Enemalta, government wants to make it profitable (at all costs) so that he can privatise it. Does the government think we are so stupid not to understand his hidden plan?
joe Vella
Nov 13th 2008, 21:03
What amazes me that any constructive criticism and possible alternatives/solutions are coming from the GRTU mostly. The Official Opposition led by Joseph Muscat for all porpuses have abducted th ier responsibilities. What a shame!
Mario De Bono
Nov 13th 2008, 17:55
I have just read the text of the letter on the GRTU website. Its very powerful, and i dont agree with the Times that its accusatory. Its an appeal to all of us to turn adversity into opprotunity and to infuse a new spirit into the gloom this country has fallen into. People dont realise that SME's employ so many people in Malta. 65,000 is much more than the traditional unions can boast of, and these are private employees, not governmnet workers, whose productivity leaves much to be desired. This letter is aimed at our better qualities, not just at the scaremongering attitude some people have.
ronald fenech
Nov 13th 2008, 17:32
vince you know where the priminister's office is ux . tibqax tipprova minalik tbellahilna li qed tahdem fl interess taghna . Issa urejtna bi car x hobz tiekol .
Jeff Inguanez
Nov 13th 2008, 17:02
People who lose a subsidy understandably grumble.
But how can anyone justify that we taxpayers subsidizing hotels and shops?