Last week marked the adjournment of Parliament for the summer recess, and as we slowly move into the relatively serene and slow August month we all hope to have a break from politics.

This has been a hectic year, led mainly by the general election and subsequent probes (as always happens with new governments) which uncovered some skeletons in the cupboard, perceived or otherwise.

During times like these I always try to take my inspiration from others or the general run of things. So, this Sunday morning, as I went through the papers, I noted that the main issues were three (excluding the horrendous double murder Lawrence Gonzi’s retirement, the declaration of assets by members of the Cabinet and the on-going debate on irregular migration. I decided to follow this trend. But I would also say a little bit about the precarious employment issue in this regard.

A lot has been written about Lawrence Gonzi’s achievements. There has been praise and criticism. All healthy. But nobody can deny his human and statesmanlike qualities. His work with the disabled started off years ago and he established both an awareness and a structure which has changed our thinking completely.

This human quality has also been reflected in his handling of the Libyan crisis and, particularly, the evacuation of so many people through Malta. It has also been confirmed by his solid stance on the reception of irregular migrants over the years.

Libya was also the apex of his statesmanship. Please excuse the pun, but he steered the ship during that crisis like no other. The courage he showed on behalf of us all was tremendous. So much has been written and I will say no more except to wish him further pleasures in his private life (or is it?)

This declaration of assets business is a bit of a farce. Members of the Cabinet have declared their assets, or most of them. And it is a very wealthy socialist Cabinet indeed! These declarations are unilateral but are they verified?

Should they be audited? Yes, if they are to continue. For this is basically a useless exercise and what is the purpose? For example, what business of mine is it that Minister Manuel Mallia holds €500,000 in cash, undoubtedly amassed from his highly successful professional practice?

If these declarations are not assessed and verified by an independent auditor, supplied with the relative documentation, then this is all futile and a waste of time. Further, immovable property and securities, such as shares, must also be valued independently.

A lot has been said and written about this precarious work or employment and, indeed, regulations have been issued to control the situation and protect our workers. All well and good and commendable, except that, like so many other things in the Government’s first months, all was done in a hurry, particularly where sub-contracting is concerned.

I mean sub-contracting is an accepted practice worldwide and, in fact, makes for good business and a good service. So why prohibit it (that is if I have understood the situation correctly)?

What takes the cake is referring to the employment of migrants on a day-by-day basis or on a task-by-task basis as precarious. I am referring specifically to those migrants who hang around at the side of the road at Marsa, with their bags of tools and paint brushes, waiting to be picked up by a passing motorist who requires an odd job or a room to be painted. Surely this is the limit.

And while on the matter of migrants, we have the ongoing debate on EU solidarity. Joseph Muscat has decided to stamp his feet and threaten to use Malta’s veto to block EU decisions on matters totally unrelated to migration.

The courage Gonzi showed on behalf of us all
was tremendous

Once again, he is hurrying and unfortunately does not seem to understand the consequences of such actions or decisions.

This stance ominously reminds us of Dom Mintoff’s in Helsinki so many years ago, where he stalled the whole process of a world meeting for months.

He got no respect from civilised leaders. The use of the veto must be exercised with extreme diligence. It can backfire of course, with a tit-for-tat attitude from other member states in Malta’s regard.

These rash declarations from our Prime Minister, even with regard to the treatment of migrants, in terms of threatening to send them back to Libya, are doing us no good at all.

They must stop.

All this being said, however, I will move on to chapter two.

Muscat has somewhat remedied his rash declarations through his meeting with the Italian Prime Minister and the joint statement that the problem must be addressed at Libya’s southern borders.

The EU has recognised the fact that Malta needs support. So far we only have statements. We will have to await the action.