Video: GRTU eyes possible tariffs solution after meeting PM

J.Pace

Nov 20th 2008, 12:01

@Karl Abela

Do you really think that people have the money they used to have in the past years in their pockets ?
What about the factories that went to 4day week ? It is not PN or MLP it is the world economy, but right now, its life, at least from my side, before I go for a xmas party or before I buy a gift , I will not be like the previous years "U IVA" , I will think twice , what are the priorities?
FYI , people with loans , work hr and also wages pending, and need to live and fill up their homes, their are priorities, and more taxes on families will not help. Tariffs have to be changed for everyone. It's a chain reaction.

@John Borg
What do 4day week means to you ? Do you know that factories depends on the work economy, do you hear factories going to 4day week and other imposing forced leave to employees, even unpaid .. what that ? Or you benefit from some business and government help.

fredmallia

Nov 18th 2008, 22:15

It is Austin Gatt who decides, and he was not at the meeting. His word is final. what experts?????

joseph farrugia

Nov 18th 2008, 18:28

well done for the unions. im sure with a little bit of good faith Dr gonzi will find the proper solution. keep it up. please keep in mind some social justice for us the middle class and beyond. we can have this good news as a nice xmas present from Dr Gonzi. thx.

Joseph E Briffa

Nov 18th 2008, 17:44

If people were really feeling the pinch how come more cars were purchased in the Q3 this year compared to the same period last year? This compares well with the US, where less than one million cars were bought in September, the lowest in 15 years. As for Xmas shopping I wouldn't be surprised that sales would be on the same level as previous years. In the UK they are expecting quite a drop. Now we'll see; but please let's not keep moaning and groaning as we will continue believing that this is a national trait

Nigel Lawrence

Nov 18th 2008, 15:27

So now we might be subsidising the shops. Form a queue please, who's next in line for subsidy; it certainly wont be the man in the street.

Mario Bonnici

Nov 18th 2008, 15:16

@ John Borg

Very Funny. Well done.

John Borg

Nov 18th 2008, 15:08

You Maltese should not complain, but be optimists. With the leadership of Dr. Gonzi, Malta is the only country not in a recession (actually growing by more than 3%), people can enjoy eating out on a regular basis, drive nice cars, enjoy going on holiday abroad more than once a year, free University, own multiple apartments and more.

You should be grateful having such leadership. You all should place a portrait of Dr Gonzi in your hallway and light a candle in front of it.

G.Schembri

Nov 18th 2008, 15:04

Well done GRTU. Hopefully the workers' unions will get better results as well. I cannot see why we should be at loggerheads with each other. After all, small businesses employ people, and if they are in financial difficulties their employees will end up jobless. On the other hand workers are their customers and if workers have less money they will spend less, it's a vicious circle. We all need each other.
@ Karl Abela - there might be money in people's pockets but let's face it, its value is not what it used to be. You don't have to be penniless to lower your lifestyle, if you foresee higher electricity bills and a higher cost of living you will start to be more careful how to spend your money.

I M Dingli

Nov 18th 2008, 15:01

@ Karl Abela

Be realistic for once, why don’t you ask the restaurant owners whether their business is doing well. I bet that even the Strina activity will reflect the present situation.

Be patient Mr. Abela, Christmas is round the corner and soon enough complaints by GRTU etc will start pouring in. Than we’ll see if ‘That is a myth which MLP & GWU have come up with to create anger in our country.’

Karl Abela

Nov 18th 2008, 14:12

@ J. Pace

Dont try to sell me the idea that there is no money in people's pockets. That is a myth which MLP & GWU have come up with to create anger in our country. Their favourite past time is to blow things out of proportion and inject fear which in turn creates a slow down in the economy.....these are studied facts that happen over and over again....the MLP's prime interest is the votes and not the well being of the country. People have realised this for the past 25 years and kept saying no to MLP in government.

Sad but true.

J. Abela

Nov 18th 2008, 13:41

I am anticipating a really cheerful christmas with lots of gifts, street well-lit like day-time and lots of cheerful and happy faces whereever you look at!!

Being ironic....

Interest only in small businesses?No need to harm Christmas business.
What a laugh...

J.Pace

Nov 18th 2008, 13:15

Do you know that Christmas shopping is made with people on the street with money ? What do you think that this Christmas will happen, without money in pockets? Don't you think that the small shops will suffer from it too? It's a chain-reaction , not a Union not helping people who buys!
At least if some people are like me , don't forget the budget easily, as, month after month I have to pay loans, other payments etc ... I will not spend like last years.
This year maybe I will do a W&E voucher for my relatives :) .

J.Borg

Nov 18th 2008, 12:44

Well done Mr.Farrugia............you are taking care of the small business and what about their clients have you taken care of them. Do remember that business after all want the men in the street to spend in order to move ahead.......

Is it this why you didn't particpate last friday........and since the water and electricity tariffs are going to be discussed with unions why didn't you join them in order to come out with one healthy package.

The same story always in Malta.........Divide and Rule

Duncan Sant

Nov 18th 2008, 12:23

In all this issue, what I see, is that businesses will gain some form of advantage, while the man-of-the-street will have to pay the full tariffs, maybe "subsidising" the businesses.

If "tweaking" is possible, this should not be only for small or medium businesses, but for everyone. Should the normal people form their own union so that we have someone to fight for us and for our rights?