Government accepts MPA union proposal
The government has accepted a proposal by the Malta Police Association for it to be transformed into a union, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this morning.
Thanking the police for all their work related to traffic, Dr Gonzi said police officers would have the right to be members of a union without having the right to strike.
Speaking in Marsascala, Dr Gonzi said this was a measure which would help the police to make further strides forward. He did not elaborate
The Prime Minister spoke on the country's debt and said that while it was true that Malta paid €500,000 a day in interest on debt, €1 billion of its debt had been made by the shipyards.
It was working to reduce this debt but it also had to be pointed out that while Malta's debt was 69 per cent of its gross domestic product, Germany's was 81 per cent.
The government also invested €1 million a day in education, €1 million a day in health care and €2.5 million on pensions and social benefits.
The government dedicated its time to finding the required finances for the country to continue to obtain results, he said.
The Prime Minister said that for the first time in Maltese history more than 40 per cent of people in employment were women. This was not a coincidence but the result of a series of measures the government had taken.
It was now increasing the 14 weeks maternity leave period by another four weeks over two years with the government paying a €160 allowance per week.
The Prime Minister referred to his visit to Tripoli this afternoon and said that he will be making the first political contact to lead a political and business delegation to the neighbour state in the near future.
Dr Gonzi spoke on the Labour leader's promise to reduce water and electricity rates and said one was now starting to see that this was a promise which could not be kept.
For Dr Muscat was binding his promise to an investment about which there were still many questions which needed an answer.
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mary mifsud
Nov 28th 2011, 08:42
Police union was announced on 13th October. WHAT A COINCIDENCE! A few hours after Franco Debono declared he was absteining in Austin Gatt's transport motion.It was announced again yesterday,a day after the TIMES critisized harshly the government's performance in justice.
Carmel Xuereb
Nov 27th 2011, 19:24
Il-Pulizija mhux biss Union iridu imma jridu l-arretrati li ghandhom jiehdu ta' l-overtime li ghamlu f'dawn l-ahhar 4 snin. Dak l-ezempju li qed jaghtina l-Gvern li jibqa jzomm dak li hu bi dritt tal-Pulizija ghax hadmu ghalih. Ara inti Gonzi u shabek hadtuhom il-€500 fil-gimgha minn 4 snin ilu imma p-povru PULIZIJA lanqas dak li hu bi dritt tieghu ma thallas u issa suppost jithallas bl-imghaxx. Dak li ghandek tara li jsir Sur Gvern
Noel Barry
Nov 27th 2011, 19:03
Haga ma semmix Gonzi. Li din il gazzetta li int u shabek qed tiktbu fiha kienet giet attakata u mahruqa ghax kontu tghidu li kienet vuci tal PN. Viva id -demokrazzija u l-liberta ta lis-stampa li fi zmienkom ma kelniex. U halluna
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 27th 2011, 18:19
If Joseph Muscat gets a bit tipsy and promises a 50% pay-rise to all, Gonzi would double it now not to be outdone.
Noel Barry
Nov 27th 2011, 19:05
Charles if you read the Times, the same newspaper which had its building attacked and set on fire, of the 13 October you find that this union was already accepted.
VINCENT WILLIAMS
Nov 27th 2011, 17:55
It would have been much and much more better for our country financially and economically if the €500,000 a day that we are paying in interest on dept were invested instead. But the financial and economic policy of the PN has always been based on debt and more debt. Debt that almost is crushing the Eurozone. GonziPN is increasing month after month the national debt and the interest without solving the greatest financial problem at the moment in the Eurozone, which is the uncontrolled debt.
During the last 21 years PN administrations reached various Collective Agreements with the ex-Malta Drydocks. After each agreement PN government and its propaganda party machine always stressed time after time that by such agreements the Drydocks problems were solved. Now it is clear that all those words were only propaganda and nothing was being solved. So most of the €1billion debt made by the shipyards were made under PN administrations!! And that clearly shows how bad and unprofessional did PN administrations run the shipyards. The €70 millions that were wasted because of the Fairmont affair and by which the shipyard was forcely and intentionally closed. Are they included in the €1billion dept? Why the foreign manager who was responsabble for the Fairmont failure was left to run away from the island?
If according to the PM his government is working to reduce debt? Then how come that debt is rising more than the economy is? How come than that the rate of interest is not decreasing? Lately the PM stated that to decrease the deficit the debt has to increased. So which is the truth? The people have been told and were assured many times that "il-finanzi huma fis-sod." If this statement was true than how come that the PM now is stating that his government is working to reduce the deficit and also the debt?
Malta's debt is more than 69 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product because the various debts that a number of public entities has are not included. A clear example is the Valletta project which includes the Parliament and the open theatre. It is clear that Malta's debt is very closed to that of Germany and so our PM cannot be delighted. Apart from that Malta cannot compare its economy with that of Germany!!
When one remembers that beside the billions of Euros in debt that every PN government did, that almost every budget during the last 23 years of PN administrations ended in deficit. The selling and privitization of a great number of public entities that Labour government left behind and by which PN administrations earned millions and millions of Euros. And at the same time the government saved from wages and the National Insurance. The record of new taxes introduced during every PN administrations. Clearly and without any doubt show that our country should be better off than actually it is at the moment.
So my PM you and your party have really a very bad record when one considers all the facts. This does not mean that PN administrations did nothing good. Far from that. What it is clear is that our country needs a new administration, a political change, new ideas, different thinking and a young leader that at the moment the PN cannot offered.
Doreen Rizzo
Nov 27th 2011, 17:03
Naqbel ma' hafna kummenti li nkitbu s'issa... izda xi haga ma ssemmitx: GHALIEX DECIZJONI GOVERNATTIVA GIET IMHABBRA F'ATTIVITA' PARTIGGJANA TAL-PARTIT NAZZJONALISTA? Tezisti differenza bejn gvern u partit? Jien nghid le. U int ???
E Zammit
Nov 27th 2011, 18:15
Ghax ghandek tkun taf li f'Malta demokratika, l-partiti jfasslu l-politika u l-poplu jaghzel il-dak il-partit li ghandu jmexxieh ghal-hames snin. X'jimporta mhux fejn tithabbar id-decizjoni, 'mma kemm dik it-tali decizzjoni hija tajba, ta' gid u ghaqlija.
Ghal-dawk li qed jikkummentaw li Gonzi qed jaghmel dak li jghid Muscat, minghajr ma noqghod nidhol fil-mertu jekk dan hux minnu jew le, l-importanti m'hux li jsir il-gid, m'hux hekk, jaghmlu min jaghmlu u jigi minn fejn jigi. Jidher izda, li ghal certu nies hawnhekk, l-importanti hu li jitla' l-partit taghhom fil-gvern u m'hux li f'pajjizna jkun hawn il-gid !
Jidher car li certu nies, jghiru jekk il-gvern tal-gurnata jaghmel il-gid, ghax b'hekk tonqos il-possibilta' li l-partit li jappogjaw huma jkun fil-gvern. Patetika 'mma vera !
Kurt Mifsud
Nov 27th 2011, 23:49
Mr Zammit - Joseph kien li ssuggerixxa 500eur zieda lill-dawn l-iskarsa facendi? Mhux talli hekk, talli peress li ghandhom salarju doppju, iridu kola doppja wkoll!
Victor Laiviera
Nov 28th 2011, 09:17
@ E Zammit
Jekk ma tafx li f'demokrazija ta' veru suppost ikun hemm distinzjoni ċara bejn Gvern u bejn Partit, ma tafx xi tfisser il-kelma demokrazija.
mary mifsud
Nov 27th 2011, 16:14
This was one of Franco Debono's private members motion.
Franco Debono said that some things are moving too slowly and others must start from scratch.Surely he was referring to this that it was moving too slowly.
Noel Barry
Nov 27th 2011, 16:10
This is for all you labour bloggers who are saying that the PM is doing what JM is proposing. If you read the Times of Malta of the 13 October 2011 you find that the Police Union was already accepted without the right to strike. So who is following who.JM is proposing many things that are either already done or are in the process.
R. Lewis
Nov 27th 2011, 16:01
Malta's debt was 69 per cent of its gross domestic product, Germany's was 81 per cent. Why do you always compare us with someone who is worst then us, be honest and compare us with those who are better then us, that's what I call honesty.
The government also invested €1 million a day in education, €1 million a day in health care and €2.5 million on pensions and social benefits. You forgot to mention how much you invested in your wages and your increases.
We saw last night Joseph Calleja making the Maltese very proud with his performance on Rai Uno, and you and your cabinet even ignored his suggestion not to go ahead with a roofless theatre, l-aqwa li nberqu il miljuni minn flus il poplu. When the roofless theatre is finished we should start having "Ti Lascio una Canzone" held there, halli ndahqu in nies binha.
Alfred E. Zahra
Nov 27th 2011, 16:54
Are you serious when you write that comparing us to Germany is not comparing us with the very best. Your comment shows how very uniformed or how very biased you are .
R. Lewis
Nov 27th 2011, 23:09
@Alfred E. Zahra. I think you are uninformed and very biased. You should have passed on your comment to the PM not to me. I didn't compare Malta to Germany, the PM did. If Gemany's debt is 81%, then of course in this regard they are worst then us, m'hemmx fix titfixkel, mela ghandek rasek gor ramel.
Antonia Vella
Nov 27th 2011, 15:39
Nahseb is suldati, il pulizija u dawk in nies li jahdmu l-habs about time taghti ftit kashom tinsix li dawn vot bhal haddiehor ghandhom
Charles Massa
Nov 27th 2011, 15:34
F Marsascala Gonzi ghamel riferenza ghal labour ta 70 u 80 u semma s soltu kantaliena ie il qtil ta Ray Caruana, id demostrazzjoni ta Haz Zebbug etc. Imma ma semmiex il qtil ta Karen Grech. L ewwel net il 70 u 80 lil tal Labour ma ihamrulniex wiccna bil kisbeit li poplu Malti kiseb. U wara kollox jekk Gonzi qieghed isemmi 70 u 80 allura ma ghandu jghid xejn fuq il Labour ta issa. U jekk Gonzi isemmi 70 u 80 ahna insemmu is 60 meta Laburisti la kienu isibu job mal gvern, kienu jindifnu fil mizbla ,jizzewgu fis sankristija. U l Labour lanqas seta kien jaghmel meetings ghax kienu idoqqu ilniepen tal knejjes. Hallina Gonzi
R. Borg
Nov 27th 2011, 15:29
So now I understand why Mr.Gonzi insist on Joe Muscat to tell him his proposals now................
D Farrugia
Nov 27th 2011, 15:20
Umbaghad Muscat ma ghandux proposti. Ilu xi sentejn jghidha Joseph Muscat din.
Now go on and critisize Joseph Muscat for not coming forward with proposals.
Muscat is once again setting the agenda.
Lawrence Fenech
Nov 27th 2011, 15:14
Ghax jaqbillek Gonz ghax gejja l-elezzjoni. L-10 domandi imissek issaqsihom lilek innifsed quddiem il-mera u mhux lil-Joseph.
Stefan Zammit
Nov 27th 2011, 14:58
Jekk iwebbes rasu ghax webbes rasu, jekk jacceta ghax qed jimxi wara haddiehor... vera ma tista tikkuntenta lil hadd pero
Mario J Spiteri
Nov 27th 2011, 14:10
Prosit On PM, mela la accettajt li l-pulizija jkollhom dritt li jissiehbu f'union issa hu hsieb li jithallsu li ghad iridu jithallsu b'lura - overtime. U bilhaqq nixtieq li nghidlek sabiex tikkonsidra l-proposta ta SARGAS ghax jidher li hemm xi tbazwira l'hawn u l'hinn minn naha tieghek/taghkhom bhal kummiedja tal-biki tat-trasport pubbliku, li nfaqtu flusna cioe berbaqtu flusna f'rotot bla sens u karozzi QATT MA JKUNU FIL-HIN BARRA HINIJIET TWAL NISTENNEW! Meta ha tibda taghmel xi haga l-famuza Task Force On PM? Iddahhakniex izjed Prim!
Mario Grima
Nov 27th 2011, 14:07
Dr. Gonzi you get the jitters every time Dr. Muscat mentions that he could reduce the W & E. Moreover, because we are already in election mode you are makeing more u-turns than a dog chasing his own tail!!!
Joe Borg
Nov 27th 2011, 13:55
Dr. Muscat has said that under the PL the police Could join a union....you Dr. Gonzi are just.....following the LEADER.
Michael Magri
Nov 27th 2011, 13:53
Ha Haa Haaa
ABOUT TIME PRIM......???!!!???!!!
charles tabone
Nov 27th 2011, 13:52
Dr Gozi is only a reactive PM to suit the exigencies of an on-coming electoral campaign. So far he hasn't been pro-active. For u-turns he gets a distinction.
Victor Calleja
Nov 27th 2011, 13:28
Another U-turn. Good for you to take Joseph's suggestions.
Robert fava
Nov 27th 2011, 13:24
Thanks Dr.Muscat for the proposals u made as Dr.Gonzi is trying to affect them one by one.This proves that Dr.Muscat 's proposals are right for the country.
debbie Voss
Nov 27th 2011, 13:20
As soon as Mr Muscat promises something the gov is fast in promising the same thing even if it was against it from the begining. Was again IVF now for, against divorce now for, against gay partnerships now for etc etc in nauseum.
E Zammit
Nov 27th 2011, 16:08
Do you mean U Turn ? Like being all out heart and soul against joining the EU, and now pretending to be the party who knows best ?!?!
j brincat
Nov 27th 2011, 13:14
A leader is supposed to lead and NOT be led!
(jb)
E Zammit
Nov 27th 2011, 16:04
And.....an exceptional leader listens and impliments whatever is needed and required, even at the expense of loosing popularity, as long as it is for the good and well-being of his people. Do you follow now?!?
Henry Mifsud
Nov 27th 2011, 13:13
But why am I smelling something fishy when I didn't eat any for lunch?
David Farrugia
Nov 27th 2011, 19:29
It is the smell of early election
j brincat
Nov 27th 2011, 13:10
"The government has accepted a proposal for police officers to have the right to join a union without having the right to strike, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this morning".
At long last he is smelling the coffee! Obviously because of the impending general election.
Another idea originally proposed by Dr Muscat. As the election gets nearer we would see more of the same i.e. proposals make by Dr Muscat copied by Gonzi+.
(jb)
David Farrugia
Nov 27th 2011, 13:03
Muscat leads, Gonzi follows.
Salvu Attard
Nov 27th 2011, 12:50
B'li qed tghid turi kemm l-ideat ta Dr.Muscat, huma tajbi, you are just following
Edward Gatt
Nov 27th 2011, 13:16
Who is following who Mr Attard:
Please read this report from The Times of 13 October 2011, more than a month before Dr Muzcat said anything about this matter:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20111013/local/amendment-to-allow-police-to-join-union-welcomed-by-gwu.389023
charles tabone
Nov 27th 2011, 12:34
It is amazing Dr Gonzi how you ARE NOW ACCEPTING Dr Muscat's suggestions. That's great! Youa are proving that Dr Muscat has mad valid proposals.
J Busuttil
Nov 27th 2011, 13:03
Charles hu pacenzja,
Can you explain in your words ( not that of One ) what Gonzi is now accepting, as to be honest I am still trying to figure what exactly Joseph means. Thanks in advance.
Martin Busuttil
Nov 27th 2011, 15:39
@ J. Busuttil - Joseph Muscat gave his word that the police, army and civil protection, will be given the chance to join a union (but cannot go on strike), like he promised the Gozo business chamber and the Forum union to be given a 'seat' in the MCESD, unlike gonzipn and co. who has been keeping all these from having their say when it comes for their rights.
Another U-turn by your beloved gonzipn and co..
charles tabone
Nov 27th 2011, 18:19
Sur Busuttil
Ma nahsibx li kont qieghed tghix Malta biex ghadek ma ntbahtx li Dr Gonzi l-ewwel ikasbar dak li jesponi Dr Muscat imbaghad il-proposta jaghmilha tieghu. Jiena m'ghandix x'nispjega. Il-fatti hargu fil-midja zmien twil ilu. jekk inti ma segwejthomx, hu pacenzja mur il-librerija pubblika u oqghod indaga biex tiehu l-ispjegazzjoni li tahseb li tridni nispjegalek jien.
joseph mifsud
Nov 27th 2011, 12:20
mma sur gonzi kemm qed ibezzak joseph meta jsemillek li ha jrahhas id dawl u l-ilma.
E Zammit
Nov 27th 2011, 13:49
Ghax Gonzi jaf li Muscat qed jilghab loghba fuq is-sentiment tan-nies. Din ta'Muscat hi gimmick popolari, daqs dik li kien wieghed Sant tal-VAT.
Tiftakara dik il-gimmick Sur Mifsud? Kemm nies kienu belghu dik il-mossa dak iz-zmien, umbghad Sant zamm kelmtu taf xejn, u spicca biex wikkielhom is-CET, sistema li wasslet ghal kollass tal-ekonomija li, ghadna insofru l-konsegwenza taghha sal-gurnata tal-lum!
Ghalhekk, nappella l-Gonzi sabiex ikompli jwissi w jfakkar lil-poplu, u b'hekk ma' jkunx hawn min jerga jipprova jilludieh b'weghdiet fierha li ma jistghux jitwettqu. Qed tifhem?