MHRA undecided on participation in tariffs protest

Anthony Pace Gouder

Feb 18th 2010, 22:36

@ james grech

Please note that even the Government substantiates your argument . These increases are pure indirect TAXATION , TO THE EXTENT that Dr,Gonzi's re-shuffle now places Enemalta and Water Services Corporation under the Ministry of Finance !

g.c.Forte

Feb 18th 2010, 10:28

@ George Schembri........I cannot understand when you said quote " MHRA had reached an agreement in principle with the government " For me principle means that you agreed on the general rule. Example...I agree with my wife to give her 100euros a week. That is the principle, but am I going to give the money to my wife ? I think that " iz-zejt tiela f`wicc l-ilma " ( I do not know how it goes in the English language ). With or without you, still it is going to be a great manifesto, and you are going to regret the day that you dicide not to attend.@ ALL... This is not a matter of the rise and fall of the oil......But it is the BIG financial problem that this government inherited from the previous P.N. governments. By the year 2013 " subject to correction " our deficit must go down to 3% from as it is now, which I do not know how much.

Paul Barrett

Feb 18th 2010, 10:27

@ lgalea

Just be thankful that the powers that be did not buy at $147 a barrel (which could be the price we have to pay at the next purchase).
If it were possible to accurately forecast the international trend, those responsible for oil purchase in Malta would be in a totally unique position. Yes, there is a certain amount of expertise in following trends but it is still down to guess work, available funds and a great deal of luck.

lgalea

Feb 18th 2010, 09:41

Paul Barrett The only crystal ball you need is to see the international trend and be competent enough to decide when you buy. Seeing what is being done at Enemalta all those taking these decisions are totally incompetent because how come they did not buy when oil had dropped down to just above $40 a barrel?

D.Bonello

Feb 18th 2010, 00:16

xi hadd qal li jaf jiehu hsieb il-problemi tieghu u jaf x'ghandu jaghmel. Haga zghira jaghmel ibiegh il-lukanda u jaghmel xi skoss flats. Dik is-soluzzjoni li kellhom il-hoteliers sa issa, inkella ihallsu il-kontijiet gholjin u jghollu il-prezzijiet u it-turizmu iktar ghan-nizla

MButtigieg

Feb 17th 2010, 23:12

As if taking part in this comedy protest will increase patronage in restaurants and hotels. MHRA, be wise keep on negotiating on your own and don't let yourself be used by the GWU to accomodate the Labour party. After all the GWU and Mr Bencini (I'm not saying the MUT) didn't come up wih one single proposal. The GWU didn't even attend the MCESD meeting that was about to discuss the tarrifs.

@ lgalea
For your own convenience you mentioned yesterday's price. Do you know that the price now at this very moment is $77.27, more than $3 above yesteray's price. Mela veru ghadek tghix il-bierah!!

laurence schembri

Feb 17th 2010, 22:47

@ Alrfed Camilleri
Traditionally this the case worlwide, Union are always swayed to the left, but not in Malta.
CMTU, UHM and now the MHRA, by your standards these Unions are not politicised.

Paul Barrett

Feb 17th 2010, 22:37

@ lgalea

Re: buy-when-the-price-is-right, at its lowest, not when it is high. Can I borrow your crystal ball.

@ R.Gauci

Are you insinuating that the people who were in the past carrying out "electricity theft" (which presumably was not being done by the Management team), are not in anyway responsible for the lack of investment in new equipment and that the only way to balance the books was to increase the tariffs to the people that were actually paying for what they use?
If that is so, then it is not really a surprise that the honest members of society were a bit upset.
I believe that electricity theft has been somewhat curtailed in recent years, however the difference of some $12 per barrel to the current $74 per barrel (i.e., 5 times more expensive) must necessitate a rise in the cost to the Island to produce and distribute electricity and water.
Of course I don't like it, I would like to have free or very much subsidised electricity and water but alas I can't afford nor have I the space to install solar panels and I doubt anyone is going to give them to me for free.

C. Mizzi

Feb 17th 2010, 22:05

MHRA dont let Tony Zarb use your organisation . Every now and then the man needs to take the people to the streets. Remember "Issa Daqshekk ! " and the "Politika tal-Giljottina" demonstations. Remember the public holidays street protest and the Drydocks protest at Paola. They only served for the Union's Chief personal survival. His only agenda is to see Labour in Government. Responsible unions and the majority of the Maltese people are aware and acting very carefully not to endanger the economic recovery.

Joseph Vella

Feb 17th 2010, 21:45

Can the MHRA support the staff they employ, and not only switch off the A/C's in their hotels. This is happening in nearly all places now.

Joseph Grech

Feb 17th 2010, 21:38

The MHRA will do well to remember that the exorbitant Utility Bills ''will have a negative impact (not just) on the tourism industry (but on) society in general.'' If Maltese society is hit hard this will certainly have a ripple effect on your business - as is probably already happening.
Kindly remember please that any agreement the MHRA reaches with government will result through the national coffers - the taxes paid by both the MHRA members and taxpayers in general. Remember also that society has at least up to now willingly extended all the help it could provide to the tourism sector. Maltese taxpayers do not really mind subsidising tourism. But will you be repaying this with ingratitude?
I do not believe people, myself included, will look upon the MHRA very nicely if they see that you are out just to safeguard your own interests and remain aloof and unconsidered with issues that affect society in general.
After all your members need to consider the needs not just of their businesses but also the needs of their families, their dear ones, society.
Hopefully your committee will take ethical factors into consideration. Can you really afford to ignore society?

victor vella

Feb 17th 2010, 21:17

@Martin Saliba
For your information the pipes are buried for the convenience of the public, the pipes are tested by means of a pressure test and all you need to do this test is a hole in the ground not more the 1 mt x 1 mt and a ½ inch pipe connection.

james grech

Feb 17th 2010, 21:02

It is not in the unions' prerogative, in this case to propose any solutions. Nevertheless, various proposals have been made from different entities, which seem to fall on deaf ears. It is quite easy for the Gov to say that no other proposals have been put forward, just to keep taxing ppl in this manner. Because that is what these tariffs are, indirect taxes. What should one call a bill of more then 200 Euros just for the meters. This gov. is crazy. It is not true that these tariffs are due because of increased oil prices. Those of you who are saying otherwise either are PN supporters or else can easily afford such high prices. The majority of the ppl do not.

Mario Bonnici

Feb 17th 2010, 20:45

@Alfred Camilleri
And what about the other 12 unions?
You forgot to mention them Mr.Camilleri.

Paul Barrett

Feb 17th 2010, 20:39

@ martin saliba

Perhaps I am being stupid but I am not quite sure at whom you are pointing a finger at, is it the Government or the Water Services workers/contractors. The former (i.e., MP'S) are I am sure not out on the ground supervising or laying water pipes (it is not their job) and the latter may well be members of the Union(s) complaining about the cost of water and electricity.

R.Gauci

Feb 17th 2010, 20:36

@ Paul Barrett

If you don't know as you said about the incompetent management & administration (including several Ministers) that Enemalta Corporation had during the last 20 years please read the following facts:
During the said period of time Enemalta was making loss from the production and distribution of electricity for variuos reasons which were mainly the lack of investment in up to date technology and electricity theft! This loss was being covered by a profit in its Gas and Petroleuom Division (which now is going to be privitised b' kumbinazzjoni) so at the end of the year the corporation was breakng even or minimal loss, however this situation couldn't made it possible for Enemalta to invest in a better production & distribution system for a growing demand !
This was one of the reasons why in 1998 Dr.Alfred Sant increased the bills ,but at that time PN and other unions told him he lost his social soul do you remember?
I am not saying that bills should remain the same if there's a needed investment but you can't stay 20 years doing nothing and then in 2 years time you want to recover all the lost time and money!!

lgalea

Feb 17th 2010, 20:21

Paul Barrett When you are dealing with bulk purchases you buy when the price is right, at its lowest, not when it is high or even at its highest as is being done by the incompetents at Enemalta.

cARMEL sERRACINO-INGLOTT

Feb 17th 2010, 19:25

I would like to know what the GWU is proposing in a constructive way? It is no use to say change the management what is needed is a good replacement may be. Which? Willthe GWU pay up instead of we? If yes??? from where is it going to fork out the money? Can anyone tell us who will pay instead of us?

From the blogs at least there are sensible people.

Alfred Camilleri

Feb 17th 2010, 19:12

mario Bonnici. Surely you mean solidarity with the opportunistic LP and the politicised GWU.

martin saliba

Feb 17th 2010, 19:11

@ Paul Barret, Speaking aboiut water leaks. In Sliema the gov. is replacing the old water mains which is a good thing. What i find to be lacking is the fact that the workers lay the pipes and bury them imediatley, without testing for leaks. Please don't anyone try to find an excuse on how the work is being done , if your stupid i'm not.

Anthony Mizzi

Feb 17th 2010, 19:08

Why MHRA is still undecided?

Haven't your members seen dwindling patronage in their establishments with the uncertainty brought about by the anticipation and issue of the UPgraded surcharged utility bills?

What kinds of deal are your members getting from the revised W & E tariffs and now Gas as well?

Are your members happy with the 50c Bed charge? Has anyone given ear to your cry for help for your bread and butter?

Still undecided?

Paul Barrett

Feb 17th 2010, 18:48

@ lgalea

The market price of a barrel of oil changes daily (or hourly) and therefore let us not go down the road of trying to fluctuate the price of electricity and water daily or hourly to keep up with it.
When you are dealing in bulk purchase on something as price volatile as oil in a fast fluctuating exchange rate market, there is always a risk that you will either make or loose a great deal. This is not so much as competence as it is in lady luck.
As for the competence of management, I am not qualified to say and therefore it would be wrong for me to criticise them - I expect they cost as much and are as good or bad as any team using the same tools and workforce.
What I do know is that the infrastructure is not up to the demands - hence the fairly regular water leaks and unannounced power cuts.

Laurence Calleja

Feb 17th 2010, 18:24

MHRA is a serious association consisting of experienced and intelligant persons. Surely MHRA will not be taking part in this silly protest. I run a small hotel in Malta and will not be taking part in any protest organised by a political party. It is not the GWU who are calling people to protest but it is the mlp. We hotelliers know how to handle and take care of our problems without interference from political parties.

lgalea

Feb 17th 2010, 18:21

Paul Barrett
The price of oil yesterday went below $74 a barrel.
The tariffs can be reduced by getting rid of those incompetents running Enemalta and costing the taxpayers millions in mismanagement and a million or more in their salaries.

Paul Barrett

Feb 17th 2010, 18:16

I still have not seen a fair or even a sensible suggestion on how we are to pay for the production, maintenance, upgrading and distribution of water and electricity if it is not to be paid by the user. There is only one other alternative and that is it is paid for from even more tax on something else like income tax or higher VAT.

Mario Skinder

Feb 17th 2010, 18:11

MHRA participate. Do not sit on your finger. Even if nothing happens. At least you tried, and was counted.

Mario Bonnici

Feb 17th 2010, 18:04

Dear MHRA, at least show solidarity with the other workers and unions.