Cynthia Busuttil
Tariffs protest resumes today
'Many cannot afford hefty bills'
The crowd that attended the protest along Republic Street, Valletta, yesterday. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
People are being encouraged to go to Valletta again today, this time to urge MPs to vote against a motion on the new water and electricity tariffs, a day after thousands packed Republic Street in a protest against the tariffs.
"We will appeal to each MP to vote against the tariffs," the general secretary of the General Workers' Union, Tony Zarb said at yesterday's protest, organised by 11 unions forming the Għaqda Unions Maltin (GħUM).
Tonight, Parliament is expected to debate a motion presented by the Labour opposition to revoke the new water and electricity tariffs, which came into force on January 1.
Calling on the government to give its parliamentarians a free vote so that they could follow their conscience, Mr Zarb said MPs would be held responsible if they did not vote to alleviate people from the burdens the new tariffs had put on them.
"They are in duty bound to ensure that people do not suffer and we will hold them responsible," he said, adding that the people would remember who allowed them to suffer.
Thousands of protesters walked behind the union leaders along Republic Street holding placards criticising the tariffs as "inhuman" and saying that the people were hurt.
Labour leader Joseph Muscat was among those attending the protest, together with representatives of Alternattiva Demokratika and Moviment Graffiti.
"We tell the government to stop bulldozing the people with the tariffs. If it wants the people to respect it, it should respect the people and not be cruel," Mr Zarb said.
GħUM chairman John Bencini, who is also the president of the Malta Union of Teachers, said the biggest confirmation that the tariffs were too high came from Eurostat, which published figures showing that the electricity, gas and fuel prices in Malta had shot up by almost 29 per cent between December and January, by far the highest in the EU.
There are many people who cannot afford to pay the hefty bills they are receiving. "There are people making huge sacrifices," he said, criticising the announcement by newly-formed company Arms Ltd that overdue bills would be slapped with six per cent interest.
Mr Bencini, who refused to give a comment to timesofmalta.com because The Times' editorial on Saturday said the protest was not in the national interest, said that "God forbid" should the government not grant some form of compensation. However, he added, that was not enough and the increases people would have to deal with exceeded the compensation. Four-person households would be the worst hit, with their bills going up by about €210 but receiving only €130 in compensation.
He said that, although small businesses, like supermarkets, would be badly affected, the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU, which represents them, did not take part in the protest and instead had criticised the unions who organised it. This despite the "crusade" by GRTU general director Vince Farrugia against the tariffs before he contested last year's MEP elections on the Nationalist Party ticket, Mr Bencini said.
The president of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses, Paul Pace said that although oil prices were being blamed for the increase in tariffs, these had not risen so much as to justify the hike.
"People are paying for the wrong decisions and inefficiencies at Enemalta and for the government's deficit," he said, adding that the tariffs were a new tax imposed on the people.
He insisted that yesterday's protest was not a partisan one and accused The Times and the PN media of "censorship" against the unions.
In a letter, read out during the protest, the general secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, John Monks that said in their rush to get rid of their deficits, governments were hitting the wrong targets. "It isn't right that lay-offs in Malta are increasing as workers pay the price with their jobs," he said.
Towards the end of the protest, the police intervened to break up what appeared to be a scuffle among a group of men. No further details were immediately available.
The Nationalist Party said later the partisan protest was held to serve the Labour Party. It said that when, in 1997, a Labour government had raised water and electricity bills although the price of oil was only $12 a barrel, the GWU had not protested. On the other hand, it was taking people to the streets when the price of oil was $80 per barrel.
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P. Schembri
Mar 2nd 2010, 08:39
@E. Gatt. You forgot among other things over-running of budgets on projects, backshish, commissions, etc....
G.Schembri
Mar 2nd 2010, 01:41
@c.camilleri ???"If they are still honourable gentlemen , members of the MUT should send their resignations and form or join an other Union. ???
Do you expect teachers to believe and obey you wheh you say they earn 22,000 euro and work 271/2 hrs weekly for 5 months annually? Teachers are intelligent people and must realise that whoever wants them to divide does not have their interest at heart.
SHAME ON YOU- It seems you are accusing Mr Bencini with your sins.
Since you were not present yesterday, you wouldn't know what Mr.Bencini said now would you? You are just quoting the PN newspaper, Mr Bencini condemned one journalist who like you is always writing against teachers and who last Sunday encouraged teachers to join UHM. Can you imagine Gejtu leading teachers. Having the education in the hands of people likeGEJTU VELLA (and the likes of you) is worrying indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M.Bezzina
Mar 1st 2010, 17:16
@Joseph Cauchi
I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to the members of the M.U.T.
Povra M.U.T.!
And how it has been hijacked!
JC.
I hope that UHM will not repeat these things when there will be a change in government if any!!They protested in the 22months of Sant in power. To show their solidarity!!Imsiken ux!!
J Sciberras
Mar 1st 2010, 17:12
Just to conclude for all those who are counting how much per day they would be spending by the new bills, well be honest with yourselves, stop blaiming someone else like the restaurants, but have a good look at what is happening in this island of ours and compare it with the rest of Europe.
J Sciberras
Mar 1st 2010, 17:11
How poor can we get…..So now if you raise your voice and protest, you are being politicl!
But after all isn’t everything political, and unions who demonstrate and show that they do not agreee at the way things are going, are considered “trouble makers”.
How come some years ago, when the same union, (MUT) and rightly so ordered her memebers to strike for months, why then the same union was considered a heiro, but now not for the same reasons obviously but for reasons the union believ are justified- we are condeming it!
Why, doesn’t this union have the right to condem this coverment? Do you want us to go back in time, when unions did or did not do any actions according to the Government of the time? Something a particular union namily UHM is still doing this very day?
Another question for all those who raised a finger at yesterday’s protest….rememberit was orgainised by a number of unions, so why attach only MUT, why for exampole no one is asking the pilots to walk out of there union, cos I believ that it was part of the organisation of yesterday’s march!
R Pulis
Mar 1st 2010, 16:31
Why is NO ONE mentioning that the Govt is compensating everyone to negate the effect of the increase in the tariffs. I will tell you why - because it is politically convenient for the PL not to do so.
Please someone enlighten me - if the oil component of the tariffs is 90%, then how on earth can we have lower tariffs - PLEASE EXPLAIN! It leaves 10% for distribution, overhead, maintenance, customer care and 'over employment'. How many Enemalta employees does Joseph Muscat intend firing when he takes office. Answer these questions reasonably and I will be there this evening!
R Axisa
Mar 1st 2010, 16:28
@E Gatt
"• People start consuming more ....and wasting more. m'hux xorta m'hux b'xejn"
Hekk kien qed jigri bil-medicini, u l-gvern kien qed ihallas il-belli liri biex in-nies jiehdu l-medicini b'xejn, anke jekk jarmuhom, ghax b'xejn. U nholoq pandemonju shih ghax iddahhlet il-hlas ta' 50c. Imma dak li kien hazin f'dak iz-zmien milli jidher sar tajjeb issa! Two weights and two measures!
s farugia
Mar 1st 2010, 16:06
@j.E briffa nispera la tircievi is sussidju li sa tiehu minghand il gvern tatih lil minghandu bzonn la ma taqbilx mas sussidju.
R Axisa
Mar 1st 2010, 15:55
Il-bierah il-ministru Tonio Fenech qal li l-poplu jrid jidra jhallas il-kontijiet. Nixtieq insaqsi lill-ministri kemm draw, per ezempju juzaw il-karozzi ministerjali li kellhom! Niftakar ftit ilu il-ministru Austin Gatt biddel il-karozza u xtara Jaguar trid 700 ghajn biex thares lejha! Intom tridu tkunu biex taghtu l-ezempju l-ewwel. Ma stajtux bqajtu tuzaw il-karozzi li kellkom qabel? Kemm hu facli tberbaq il-flus li mhumiex tieghek!!! Il-veru kas li min hu mejjet fis-sakra u min hu mejjet ghall-qatra! Facli tghidha Sur Fenech biex nidraw inhallsu l-kontijiet!
c.camilleri
Mar 1st 2010, 15:47
If they are still honourable gentlemen , members of the MUT should send their resignations and form or join an other Union. Bencini has disgraced their profession by his manners and his speech especially when he incited those present against members of the free press and other unions. Having the education in the hands of people like Bencini is worrying indeed.
G.schembri
Mar 1st 2010, 15:30
@ Joseph E Briffa 210euro divided by 365 days = 57,5 cents , if for you that is closer to 1 euro, I suggest you go back to school to learn your math. If anyone is trying to paralize Malta, it is not the Unions but whoever decided to make such tariffs, Tariffs in the EU have been increased by an average of 1%, while in Malta they have been inreased by 29%, what will factories do when faced with such bills. Pack up and go to another country. What will tourists do? Find a cheaper destination. Do you honestly believe that anyone is going to pay such tariffs just because they love us? You are so biased against our unions, that like in your math you try to find fault and end up with a silly answer.
r pace bonello
Mar 1st 2010, 15:03
The front page photo alongside the Tariffs protest article, calling for the PM to call it quits, is what the protest is really about. Everybody knows that the GWU is part and parcel of the MLP so their participation was assured. But what about the other union members, particularly the MUT? Has their union also joined the MLP? Members who disagree with the actions of their union executives should vote with their feet.
Tony Buttigieg
Mar 1st 2010, 15:01
I do not understand why we have problems .What happened to the money no problem that I use to hear in the past years
R. Camilleri
Mar 1st 2010, 14:49
So €210 - €130 = €80 net increase per year for a houshold of 4. This means a daily increase of €0.22! Are they protesting for 22 cents a day for a houshold of 4!
E Gatt
Mar 1st 2010, 14:08
@ P. Schembri I am not the government spokesman but I’ll try :) The deficit could increase because of a number of reasons. The main reason is that the global economic downturn which meant that the government collected less tax. Other reasons are the significant financial help given to industry to secure jobs, our aging population and the lack of political agreement to increase the pension age, tax evasion and the continuous opposition to introducing reforms. The government did not remove all subsidies, but the subsidies that were removed helped the deficit position. Incidentally the deficit decreased in January This government is not perfect, the global economic conditions are extremely difficult, but thanks to the sound (but unpopular) decisions taken by the government, the economy should emerge stronger. I believe that as time goes by, more people will appreciate the government’s responsible measures.
Peter Borg
Mar 1st 2010, 13:38
@E. Gatt Argument li ma jregix. Nobody is implying that W/E should be free. The issue is that W/E are overpriced for reasons beyond those of the international price of oil. It has been explained over and over again and ppl like yours truly fail to realise that Gov. arguments are flawed, yet you keep repeating and using the same statements as replies to people's plies. The price we had to pay when oil was skyhigh was less than what we are paying now. Is this difficult to comprehend Mr Gatt? What is going to happen when the price of oil will eventually rise? Will these tariffs increase further? How much does government think that ppl can withstand this situation? Gov. is in a panic state due to its inability to curb the country's deficit. It is eyeing the health sector, through the proposed reform, as a way to make ppl pay for healthcare services. While at the same time assuring ppl that these services will remain free. Have you thought about these issues from a different perspective Mr Gatt? Do you think that you will cope with the increases which will continue, unless people take a real stand?
h galea
Mar 1st 2010, 13:32
To-day you will have a bigger crowd, sorry UHM cannot back you in public, but in correspondence sure they back you.The problem in our country is we try to serve two masters.I ask to liberise the FUEL, otherwise sure someone has interest, if enemalta is making losses SELL or privatise otherwise someone again has interest.People are not fools that's the comedy.
A. Vassallo
Mar 1st 2010, 13:10
@ G. Cassar
You cannot understand why the GonziPN's bunch is saying that this was a PL manifestation simply because you are clearly blind and so naive.
Yes we all believe that the all those thousands!!!!!! (tlett kantunieri ta' Triq ir-Repubblika) where all PL supporters and we will not tremble in-front of the mighty force of the progressive, liberal, mintoffian, labourite, socialist movement !!!!!
The Ides are of March (15th march) not of May. Perhaps yesterday's march was a rehearsal for the 1st May Workers’ day march in Republic Street.
P. Schembri
Mar 1st 2010, 12:51
@E.Gatt. Explain to me this. How come the Government has removed all subsidies, and yet, still the deficit continues rising? How come the government stated that Euro 13 million were spent to help jobs and investment, and the deficit rose by Euro 55 million? Where has all our money (yes, it is our money) gone?
Ray Buhagiar
Mar 1st 2010, 12:49
The amount of new cars, or large second hand cars brought over from UK is proof of the amount of cash the Maltese in general have to spend.
What we really want is FAIRTRADE from restaurants, business all the year round and not one time offers!
What we really want is for businessme to pay their taxes and VAT so that we the lesser mortals wouldnot have to protest for tariffs imposed on us
E Gatt
Mar 1st 2010, 12:41
There were large crowds in Valletta and probably will be large crowds this evening. The organizers deserve full marks for mobilizing the crowds but the country cannot be governed by the size of demonstrations.
Let us suppose that somebody comes up with the argument that because of the cost of living all food should be free. A huge demonstration is held and the government agrees that food should be free. What will the result be?
• People start consuming more ....and wasting more. m'hux xorta m'hux b'xejn
• People lose their sense of the cost of food.
• People will get accustomed to be looked after by the government and not accept the fact that we are free adults who should look after ourselves whenever possible.
• People will start expecting other things for ‘free’
• Taxpayers get a huge bill and taxes increase.
• Careful taxpayers will pay for other people’s waste.
The government’s decision to remove subsidies may be unpopular but the decision is realistic, brave, and correct.
Joseph Cauchi
Mar 1st 2010, 12:02
I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to the members of the M.U.T.
Povra M.U.T.!
And how it has been hijacked!
JC.
adrian aquilina
Mar 1st 2010, 12:01
great photo..this shows that the government have got the management of this country all wrong and need a total change...its a 100% vote of no confidence and rightly so..the prime minister and his cronies need to be changed or the whole government needs changing so we have a social concience again..people deserve a life...i dont vote labour or p.n. just someone who can see the bad state we are in..also mr prime minister,you have the money given by the e,u, to help small business/self employed, so hurry up and give the soft loan you advertised would be happening..the money is not yours..it is to stop our business collapsing
Anthony Briffa
Mar 1st 2010, 11:45
Cogratulations Zarb/Bencini. Do you still insist that yesterday's protest was not political? If there was the need for any further proof, part two for tonight gives you away. Tony Zarb cannot hide his hope that the government would collapse. He had the audacity yesterday to call the MP's who will vote against Joseph's motion traitors. The last time I heard someone call somebody else traitor was Alfred Sant to Mintoff in 1998 from Cospicua. Tony better be on your guard because I am sure you don't want to end up sidelined by Sant.
Maria Borg
Mar 1st 2010, 11:43
We will keep going to the streets until this government removes the unacceptable tariffs or collapses entirely. Yes Pm we will shame you with all the world we will not let you picture Malta as rosy while we quietly suffer. You want to suppress us and stop us from protesting but we will have none of that. We will protest , we will resist, we will prevail!!!
Joseph E Briffa
Mar 1st 2010, 11:36
Bencini says that 4-person households would be the worst hit, with their bills going up by Eur210 p.a. viz a bit less than 60 cents a day. If his calculations are correct which I doubt; the increase would be closer to Eur1 a day, then I would ask, is this the great suffering of the people? Is this the end of the world for the Maltese family? Is this why some people are prepared to paralyse Malta? Does this marginal increase justify the wrecking of the boat? Don't these people realise that they have NO RIGHT to ruin our economy and our quality of life which is at the highest level Malta has ever reached? Do we want to end up like Greece with thousands of lost jobs, and substantial reduction in salaries? Does this small increase justify these disasters? Doesn't Bencini appreciate that if government gives families the full Eur210 every year it would be subsidising the whole increase? And wouldn't these subsidies encourage waste? And is MUT really sincere in their pleas; or are they fighting somebody else's battle? Is MUT convinced that by forcing a change of administration they will only make matters much worse like Greece.?
P. Schembri
Mar 1st 2010, 11:33
As usual the PN in denial. Is the PN conveniently forgetting the pressure the World Bank was imposing on the Maltese Government in 1996 because of enemalta? Yes the price of crude oil was $12, but Enemalta was already Lm48 million in the red! Of course the Pn won't say this! They were and still are in denial about the "Hofra Hrafa", when we all know it was a fact! And how come a year ago the price of crude oil was about $85 a barrel, and we were paying 50% surcharge, and now that the price of oil is hovering at about $80 and we're being forced to pay 195%? The PN always used half-truths and is still doing so to thwart the Maltese people from the real facts!
Ivan Attard
Mar 1st 2010, 11:30
Il-PL fil-Gvern qatt ma gholla l-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma...
ghal min jinsa l-istorja, il-Partit Laburista kien issospenda t-tariffi li kien behsiebu jaghmel sakemm isiru d-diskussjonijiet mal-unions, xi haga li l-Gvern tal-lum m'ghamilx u mhux behsiebu jaghmel.
Il-Partit Laburista kien ikkunsidra li jgholli l-kontijiet tad-dawl u l-ilma mhux ghax il-prezz taz-zejt kien ta' 12-il dollaru l-barmil kif qed jipprova jallega l-PN imma biex jaghmel tajjeb ghall-hofra finanzjarja enormi li sab ma wiccu appena tela' fil-Gvern fl-1996!
walter caruana
Mar 1st 2010, 11:16
All this euphoria because they managed to fill 1/3 of republic street. Considering that nearly half the maltese population voted labour, it means that the vast majority of them did not heed the repeated appeal of the PL on t.v. but opted to stay away. This was a definitelly political manifestation prompted by the labour party which controls the GWU. I condemn Mr Bencini who allowed the labour party through the GWU to involve him and the MUT which have always enjoyed independence from political parties and tarnished the union's image. I do not agree with those appealing for teachers to resign from the union. The end result of such an action is to donate the union to the PL. I suggest to the teachers to use their power given to them by the statute and unite together and oust Mr Bencini and his supporters from the council and thus restore the union to its former glorious image of independece from politics
G.Cassar
Mar 1st 2010, 11:06
Can't understand why the GonziPN's bunch are saying that this was a PL manifestation. Do they believe that all those thousands where all PL supporters? In that case they should tremble in-front the mighty force of the progressive movement !!!!!
Beware the Ides of May!!
Lawrence Fenech
Mar 1st 2010, 11:04
Isthu GRTU u UHM.
g.c.Forte
Mar 1st 2010, 10:59
It is a clear fact that this government is not raising the energy tariffs because of the oil prices. The tariffs are high above of what we had on Oct 08 when the price of oil was over 180 $ a barrel.Today the price of oil is about 75 $. The situation goes like this. The P.N. governments " FAQAW il KAXXA ta Malta " through out the years.Today we are in a position that because of the E.U. the P.N. government MUST lower the deficit of 13% to 3 %, in one and a half years time.( which is impossible, unless he makes a real miracle ). If not the E.U. is going to lift this incompetent, inefficient,arrogant government from his ears. The ordinary citizens are not responsible for this deficit,and those who wasted our money should be accountable for and pay their dues. Mr. Minister Tonio Fenech......you should be credible and see who wasted our money,and jump on him, and not on us, because, we always paid our dues.
Nigel Lawrence
Mar 1st 2010, 10:55
A good crowd, but how many will STILL vote for PN next time round?
John Portelli
Mar 1st 2010, 10:41
This protest is proof that when a short term thinking government doesn't invest in long term solutions.Plus the marxist unions and labour parties neither have a solution but simply toagitate the working class masses to side with them for their hopefull victory but yet there isNO PROMISED SOLUTION FROM NOBODY.