This is not the time for strikes, jobs a priority - Gonzi

Carmelo(Nenu)Aquilina

Apr 26th 2009, 19:49

Nemmen li l-Prim Ministru ghandu ragun biex ibieh. Veru mhux iz-zmien li nahlu din l-energija fuq dawn il-kwistjonijiet industriali li jistghu jigu solvuti madwar mejda! Il-kwistjonijiet inhallhom ghal-zminijiet ohra!
Il-mument jitlob ghaqal u hidma kbira biex insalvaw l-impjiegi u noholqu ohrajn godda, u nhux nivvintaw kwistjonijiet li jistghu jaghmlu hsara kbira lill-istess haddiema!
Tafu kemm ser issir hsara lit-tfal b'nuqqas ta'gurnata skola?
Tafu li dawn it-tfal huma ulied il-haddiema?
Allura ghax qed taghmlu dan kollu?
Ejjew ilkoll nigbdu habel wiehed, mill-istess naha, u lejn l-istess naha!
L-irgiel veru Maltin u Ghawdxin hekk jirragunaw f'dawn is-sitwazzjonijiet li sfortunutament jigu fuqna!

M.Azzopardi

Apr 26th 2009, 19:02

So why weren't lecturers treated like this?two ways two measures!

mario gellel

Apr 26th 2009, 18:29

Fill QosOR--ARE WE LIVING OR IS GONZIPN UNDER PRESSURE.???????

mario nicholas pace

Apr 26th 2009, 18:26

Regarding the prime minister's comments I should like to point out that this surely is not the time to increase petrol prices gas prices ,electricity prices and so on . Pls Dr Gonzi take note and reverse your dictatorial policies

Evarist Saliba

Apr 26th 2009, 17:24

I shall not repeat my comment under the sister story with the heading that the MUT strike might not take place after all. I will just quote what Archbishop Michael Gonzi often said to gatherings of teachers.

IL-KELMA TQANQAL, IZDA L-EZEMJU IKAXKAR.

That holds good for everybody, including teachers and parliamentarians.

victor caruana

Apr 26th 2009, 17:19

It is never the time for union action under the PN. Many have swallowed the idea that we are immune to global financial woes because we are in the eurozone. some idiotically mention iceland to prove their point.

However, the economic truth is that while iceland debased its currency to remain competitive, Malta debased labour (wages) for the last 10 years in order to survive under a PN government. All those in the eurozone have no choice between currency and labour debasement, as iceland has.

so it is always a right time for unions to take action to upkeep their workers' rights.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Apr 26th 2009, 17:16

Would Gonzi be of the same opinion had Gonzipn garnered 1500 less votes last election?

Joseph Sammut

Apr 26th 2009, 17:12

Yes Prime Minister, the time to strike is when it is required: if you do not want anyone to strike, be careful how to thread.

Mr. Prime Minister it is not time to increase utilities rates, to not lead by example, like buying expensive thirsty ministers' cars, to announce projects that are of no benefit to the country, like the breakwater bridge that leads to a Prohibited Area, or a lift that serves only a small sector of the tourist industry and/or whose use was in the past when the whole port area was the only fulcrum of activity in Malta and to serve the Royal Navy's sailors in getting the shortest route to the Gut!!

Ken Camilleri

Apr 26th 2009, 15:50

@ernest Vella,

The government increased wages for lecturers and medical sector cause of a larger situation that was occuring and still is. We have a heavy brain drain from the country. Lecturers and Doctors are vital for the country and the University of Malta is already producing few of these positions let alone that the few produced are going abroad for better wages. On the other hand we have too many teachers and the wages are reasonable considering they work half a year in effect. The teachers should thank their trade union leaders who work very hard for them but on the other hand they are also one of the most fortunate positions lately.

L.Gatt

Apr 26th 2009, 15:35

What is it then Dr Gonzi? Do you mean you are banning unions from taking industrial action and on the other hand letting Airmalta threaten its employees who obeyed union's directives and obeyed EU laws?

M Saliba

Apr 26th 2009, 14:59

If the government wants to regain credibility, it's time to implement pre election promises.

J.Borg

Apr 26th 2009, 14:33

Government should have led by example....and not raise the wages of members of parliament by 300 euro per week......
How is it that when a union orders some action we are told it's not the time.......

Mario Bonnici

Apr 26th 2009, 13:26

Mr Prime Minister
You knew that the global economic crisis was on the horizon and yet increased payments of the Medical sector. And, before the election you still promised the MUT that the government will discuss the possibility of an addendum for the teacher's sector.
Se now enough with the excuses and keep your promises.

GaleaL

Apr 26th 2009, 13:14

"Malta was part of the world and had been hit by the global economic crisis, Dr Gonzi said."

Then why did you award yourself and your ministers and parliamentary secretaries a LM125 salary increase PER WEEK on top of your fantastic salaries and perks?

Doesn't the rest of the workers deserve a similar increase Gonzipn?

Are we children of a lesser God?

B Sant

Apr 26th 2009, 13:14

i agree with the PM - now its not the time- its not even time to increase the utility bills

C.L.Spiteri

Apr 26th 2009, 13:08

NO ONE knew that this disastrous recession was coming. Even when all the experts faced the fact that a recession was coming late last summer, NO ONE knew how severe it was going to be. The IMF in December 2008 forecast the world economy would GROW by .5% in 2009. A few weeks ago, the IMF updated its forecast saying the world economy would SHRINK BY 1.5%. In Canada, our central bank forecast in January that we should experience a recovery late in 2009..Last week they reduced the bank rate to .25%, told us our economy would shrink by over 7% and revised the forecast saying the worse is not over yet and the recovery will be much later than anticipated. Why blame Maltese politicians for a worsening situation over which they have no control and cannot forecast? The best economic brains in the world were unprepared for this (with the exception of a couple who were like voices in the desert). Malta cannot be immune from this.

Ernest Vella

Apr 26th 2009, 12:30

I agree that we shall not strike right now, but on the other hand if the Prime Minister knew of the recession on the horizon why did he increase the payments of the Medical Sector and of the Lecturers...this does not make any sense. Teachers in the Primary Sector and the Secondary Sector must be given more credit for the work done, for today's success in various sectors are the fruit of these people who work in silent and their work is not so appreciated.