Tariffs protest not political, unions insist

Ivan Attard

Feb 16th 2010, 14:40

Fl-1998, il-Perit Dom Mintoff kien qal li l-Gvern Laburista ta' Alfred Sant tilef il-kuxjenza socjali. Jekk il-Gvern ta' Sant tilef il-kuxjenza, il-Gvern ta' Gonzi illum x'ghamel? Mhux ruhu biss tilef, imma gismu kollu!!

Maria Vella

Feb 16th 2010, 14:07

Funny how when something is clearly politcally motivated it is not political, but social. I see nothing wrong with all the 12 union memebrs protsting against these tariffs. I tis also noce to see that Dr. Musact gets another opportunity to go for a stroll behind banners waving and smiling to those that happen to be passing by. But what I lack to read and, would have much liked to have done is Joseph's solution to a lesser burden with his traiffs. Is he keeping it a secret? I rather believe that deep down Dr. Muscat is convinced that the present tariffs were no choice, but one of those tough realities of life. I will be all eyes and ears to see his calculations for the new tariffs when he will be on the governments side. It takes more than a smile and a stroll to change tough things Joe. Good luck

M Tabone

Feb 16th 2010, 13:42

Listening to the attached video clip I got the impression that Mr. Zarb and Mr Bencini has a solution for the Utility Saga. GWU will use Ghaqda Unions Maltin (ex-FORUM) to soften the government's head by demonstrating in Public spaces - how provocative, poor and pathetic.... God help Government to find ways and means how to cope with this POLITICAL DRAMA.

W. Azzopardi

Feb 16th 2010, 13:07

g.c.Forte
You are right there was no raise in tariffs : thanks to the UHM and Dom Mintoff.

Carmel Garcia

Feb 16th 2010, 12:51

What else can we believe. We know that the PL is to take part and also the AD party. There's a saying in Maltese, "Malta zghira u n-nies maghrufa".

g.c.Forte

Feb 16th 2010, 09:59

@ All P.N.apologists...........So if you see a priest during the protest,means that it is religious? Lets grow up. What is the point that a political party give support to a Union, like a Union gives support to a political party,like U.H.M is doing to the P.N. Let us not be hypocrites. Gejtu Vella U.H.M, and the Unions that attend the W/E tariffs at MCSED failed to convince the government. So why today he goes making propaganda against the G.W.U and the other 11 Unions on NET tv news a POLITICAL tv station ? If he wants us to believe that he is running an independent Union he should join forces with the other Unions,so if he wasn`t capable to convince this stubborn government on the table, he show how strong it is on the streets. All Europe are going to watch and see of how our government is treating the citizens,and that is the point to demonstrate.

Robert Henry Bugeja

Feb 16th 2010, 06:49

let us protest as one nation who is being hit by the same exact measure of the government. If you really believe that you are open minded and not stuck into a yes-party attitude, then you should protest too. After all this is being done for the benefit of the people of Malta and not for the benefit of a particular party.

joanna farrugia

Feb 16th 2010, 06:14

@j martinelli ask your dear gonzipn how many guarantees he gave to workers that they wont loose their jobs?now tell me if he kept his word abt them? another thing your second prim minister dr austin gatt gave another guarantee that when the price goes down he will lower the bills? can you pls tell me if this happened? so pls j martinelli stop blaming pl gwu joseph etc for the mistakes and incompetence that your dear gonzipn is doing.

G.Schembri

Feb 16th 2010, 01:39

If we are going to compare the rise in water and electricity trarifs with those in 1998, we should remember that those tarifs resutlted in Alfred Sant's resignation from government and the MLP have remained in opposition for 12 years already.

M Farrugia

Feb 15th 2010, 22:09

probably by attending the protest, these people will be spending an amount which corresponds to the monthly increase on tariffs on parking fees or bus fares.

most probably also, if gwu stops its militancy and brainwashing of its members in enemalta, their members will sow much more interest and productivity in their job, thus reducing inefficiencies at enemalta and avoid an increase in tariffs

C.camilleri

Feb 15th 2010, 21:55

I really cannot see a reason to protest. We have Gejtu and the UHM taking care of our imposed burden sitting comfortable around a table with the minister:)
Why protest about the Higher utility tariffs when this week the Prime minister in persona went to Paris to meet Mr.Piano and promised us again a roofless theater. Why bother about the higher utilty tariffs with such an achievement?
Dawn il-lejburisti dejjem iggerrgru:)

JSaliba

Feb 15th 2010, 21:18

RE: last sentence.
Imposing a fine on the non-payment of the bill based on actual readings may be reasonable. But also imposing the 6% penalty on the non-payment of two hefty estimate bills (based on figures which only the department seems to know how they are worked out) is just a way of milking the consumer. The PL leader's concern is totally justified.

Mario Bonnici

Feb 15th 2010, 20:07

I don't know why many are mentioning the GWU when the protest is being orgaised by nothing less than 12 unions. Except the UHM of course.

C Agius

Feb 15th 2010, 19:56

Let them protest and how! We know the rates are high. We don't like to pay them. But then the choice is ours - Malta or Zapatero's Spain? Why Spain? They have an ultra moderate and progessive socialist governement, grand children of the republicans of the civil war, whose only success in power has been their war on the family and all the other cherised values that differentiate us from animals. Divorce on demand, Abortion on demand, Same sex marriage and adoptions, euthanasia - You name it, if it stinks they do it. Once again, let them protest against the tariffs. Hopefully we won't have to protest against any moderate or progressive agenda until now kept under wraps..

c. camilleri

Feb 15th 2010, 18:38

Funny is it ? So John Bencini is inviting the political parties to join in the protest. I cannot immagine the NP joining John and company to protest against the Govt. Does he really believe that the people are so stupid. Does he believe that his members are blind folded not to realise that if the utility bills are to be reduced they will be the first to be hurt by direct taxation.

Joseph Scicluna

Feb 15th 2010, 18:21

@ c.camilleri you have got it wrong. in 22 months sant burdened us with 33 new taxes (inlcuding a threefold increase in w/e bills with the price of oil being 12$ per barrel ) and toni was nowhere to be seen.

jbusuttil

Feb 15th 2010, 17:41

I have not written my comment yet as I am still trying to convince myself that it is not political.

P Attard

Feb 15th 2010, 17:37

Mr. Bencini ask the GWU where they were in the 80s while you walk down Republic Street. Do you remember where u were? Once you get Labour into government will you find the GWU by your side once things get rough?

Charles Busuttil

Feb 15th 2010, 17:36

@Marc Curmi Can you please tell us how much you paid when Dr. Sant raised the Water & Electricity tarrifs?

J Borg

Feb 15th 2010, 17:29

@G Frendo The government should have thought of an alternative long time ago by investing in alternative sources of energy. The easiest thing to do for a government is to have an accountant and establish tariffs according to the price of oil, and other expenses (including possible mismanagement). Then put the responsibility on people so as to consume less.

J Busuttil

Feb 15th 2010, 17:27

This protest is political because the Govt have already voted in Parliament to ease the tariffs by an energy allowance. Messers Tony Zarb,John Bencini know about this allowance. On the other hand what the GWU and it's allies want is other increase in taxes or an increase of the deficit.

Owen Vella

Feb 15th 2010, 17:23

If theUnions have not politicised the issue, you all certainly have!!!! The company that I work for is going through financial problems due to high electricity bills. We all don't know our future. Why we all have to pay for mistakes whoever is incharge to deal with getting the best deal for buying the oil? Airmalta manage to get far better prices than Enemalta. Thats why ME AND MY FAMILY are going to protest against the tariffs cause im not happy and cannot afford to pay these high bills. Taking also in account the price of Gas( so Alfred Sant wasn"t lying after all!!!)

Ron Saliba

Feb 15th 2010, 17:21

Trying to justify the bad things happening now by comparing them to Alfred Sant's years is immature and quite frankly.. childish.

Andrew Cumbo

Feb 15th 2010, 17:20

@Anthony Briffa Was political when UHM asked LM9 wage increase for the same W/E bills? During that time even GWU disagreed about those tariffs. Where is the UHM today? Now for the second time in history we have all the Unions reunited to protest against this unsocial government. This is what is hurting you most as not only one Union is protesting but all these workers representatives that together are showing the feel of the Maltese citizens. After all Unions are there to safeguard our rights and not to side with a political party like UHM.

A. Zahra

Feb 15th 2010, 17:10

I suppose that bencini, zarb and co would not mind us going the Greek way. They would not mind us being like Portugla, ireland, Greece, Spain. Countries whose economy is almost bust.

J Martinelli

Feb 15th 2010, 17:02

Not political my foot! Zarb thinks that we are all bananas. If he means what he said he should tell Muscat not to bother supporting the protest and Muscat should explain how he would have lower tariffs at today's oil prices. Telling the public that if elected he 'will give no guarantees' regarding the tariffs, means only one thing in Labour's language. More taxes to make up the difference. Halluna Zarb u Muscat!

Paul Barrett

Feb 15th 2010, 17:00

I am apolitical so as this is a "none-political" protest that the GWU are aiming for, I feel free in a none political manner to comment. 1. Who does the GWU think is going to pay for the gas and electricity if the people who use it don't pay for it. 2. The difference in the new tariff for water and electricity against the price before January 1st works out (for our household of 2) to be Euro 4.39 (Lm 1.88) for the month of December last year. OK Euro 4.39 is not an insignificant sum of money, but is it really such a life threatening rise (a fraction of just over 14 Euro cents (Lm 0.06) a day - i.e., less than the cost of two cigarettes per day) that they need to mount a National protest. 3. If the electricity and water charges are exaggerated through inefficiency, would it not be better for a protest against the inefficient branches or would that be a matter of protesting against themselves?

G. Camilleri

Feb 15th 2010, 17:00

Veru qeghdin tajjeb. Mela min ser jiehu sehem ser idahhal il-politika. MELA MIN MHUX SER JIEHU SEHEM, bhal UHM u dak li baqa mis-CMTU, ser jaghmlu hekk ghax dawn blu!!! Prosit GHAQDA UNIONS MALTIN.

g.c.Forte

Feb 15th 2010, 16:59

@ Marc Curmi.........A very simple answers. A . Not even one protest. B. Because there wasnt` any raise or tariffs on Water and Electricity, during the Sant era. Before wasting our time why don`t you go and ask your mama to show you the bills she paid for W/E between 1986 / 87.

c. camilleri

Feb 15th 2010, 16:48

Oh not political!!!! tell it to the marines. where were these unions when Sant burdened us with 22 news taxes including those on fuel. Dear Unions you think that the people are so gullible. It will the usual Labour demonstration against the Govt. Nothing new except that Bencini is playing into the hands of the GWU. Perhaps these unions are hoping that Malta will go the disastrous way of Greece, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, Latvia and others where the number of unemployed workers runs into millions. Then they will be happy as they would have a good reason to protest.

g.c.Forte

Feb 15th 2010, 16:36

@ Marc Curmi.........A very simple answers. A . Not even one protest. B. Because there wasnt` any raise or tariffs on Water and Electricity, during the Sant era. Before wasting our time why don`t you go and ask your mama to show you the bills she paid for W/E between 1986 / 87. Grow up.

victor caruana

Feb 15th 2010, 16:34

I remember times when buying a brand of cigarettes was regarded as indicating political allegiance because there was the option of choosing a red or a blue packet.

We are still there. Protesting against some issue has nothing to do with politics but with reality for those participating. Or else one might say that the UHM is either acting politically by not participating or else its members are well off enough to meet the higher tariffs.

Michael Sciberras

Feb 15th 2010, 16:13

How many times did the UHM asked for a pay rise in the last 20 years of natioalist goverments?

G Frendo

Feb 15th 2010, 16:07

No, no - not political at all - we believe you!

Have the unions in question and the PL put forward one alternative to these increases in electricity tariffs. If over 90% of the cost of electricity production is the cost of oil then WHAT IS THE ALTERNATIVE?!?!?!

N.Calleja

Feb 15th 2010, 15:59

If there was any doubt that this protest was a comfortable pretext on the eve of the parliamentary debate on the opposition's motion, we quickly dispelled this doubt after this 'political' meeting with Joseph Muscat! Not a 'political protest' my foot Mr. Bencini!

A. Borg

Feb 15th 2010, 15:54

GWU please keep going on with your protest as we have ended in a country of "Tallaba".
Sirna pajjiz tal-Tallaba. Inkredibilment fin-npfs ta nhar ta dalghodu il-bieb habbat tlett darbiet u tlett darbiet sibt 3 min-nies differenti jitolbu l-ghajnuna. Fid-9am sibt mara li qalet li hija minn tas-Sliema li waqalha s-saqaf u m'ghandiex fejn toqghod hi u binha. Fl-10.30am sibt wara l-bieb mara ohra li qalhet li qed tigbor ghal "Dar il-Kaptan" u riedet 3 euro u nofs ghal ktieb li kellha f'idha u fil-11am wara li reggha habbat il-bieb sibt mara li qalhet li hija l-mara ta l-lanca li gherqet is-Simshar li riedet ghajnuna fil-kawza li ghanda biex ma jqabzuwiex il-barra mid-dar. Sirna pajjiz ta l-ftit gawduti u l-hafna batuti!
Jien nistaqsi ghalfejn qed nigbru l-miljuni imbaghad ghadna nies bhal dawn jiggerrew fit-toroq li t-tlieta li huma dehru li genwini?

Osvaldo Pace

Feb 15th 2010, 15:52

I had never written down a comment but I could`t stand by this mentality, to justify something wrong by trying to shed doubt of people that they are doing their duties.

What is for sure is that at this time right now we cannot stand for more Tariffs and taxes furthermore knowing that a big portion of these taxes are going to be invested in a new electrical plant which is going to ruin our environment in the south of Malta and within six years time we need modify this plant again, obviously at the cost of the tax payers.

I think that Mr. Zarb and his colleagues are doing the right thing furthermore to your comment about Dr. Alfred Sant at that time he had paid for his mistakes and if you think that at that time it was right I don`t see anything different this time, expect that at least Dr. Sant did`t implement those tariffs and when he had trouble in his cabinet he called a general election he was not attached to his prime minister chair.

Therefore let`s put our politics apart and what is wrong remains wrong and cannot be justified.

Mario Bonnici

Feb 15th 2010, 15:51

@Marc Curmi
Are you coming to the protest?

Anthony Briffa

Feb 15th 2010, 15:37

Quote
"The protest will be held in Valletta, on February 28 at 3 p.m. It will be held before the Parliamentary vote on the tariffs, to be taken in March" - Times of Malta 12 February 2010.
Unquote

This lot wants us to believe that the protest is not political. Infact it is nothing else but political. As usual the GWU is being the prop of the PL which has presented the motion. One word to Bencini and company - you have fallen in a trap and your are being used. By a coincidence the PL, according to Joseph, will be gladly attending. Of course it is not politacal!!!!! Go and tell it to the marines Tony.

J Borg

Feb 15th 2010, 15:36

@Marc Curmi
Who cares what the GWU did during a previous government. People care about their pockets.

J Borg

Feb 15th 2010, 15:34

The utility tariffs are expensive, most probably the same or more expensive than many other EU countries. However, people are giving to much importance on the utility tariffs without taking into consideration all other tariffs that has been imposed on the people (or raised) during a PN government. These include VAT 18%, ECO tax, vehicle license, exaggerated fines (wardens, speed cameras etc), price of fuel (diesel, petrol and kerosene). Considering the fact the Malta's wages are (and will never be) nowhere near other EU contries (due to the fact that Malta's market is limited), it has become very difficult to live in. Yes, it is time to protest.

Silvio Schembri

Feb 15th 2010, 15:30

@ Marc Curmi

Yes Marc you are right, that's a very good reason not to participate in this protest and agree with the increase in Utility Bills. Until Tony Zarb answers your questions we will be happy to pay these sky high tariffs to compensate for the Government and Enemalta inefficiencies!!! Very reasonable indeed!

Paul Mallia

Feb 15th 2010, 15:18

Barra minn hekk fejn qabel kellna 45 days biex inhallsu issa din giet 15. Fejn wasalna?

Marc Curmi

Feb 15th 2010, 15:11

Just one question.
How many protests did the GWU organise when the Sant Government raised the tarrifs? And what was the price of crude oil then?

When Tony Zarb answers these two questions he together with your reporters will become credible