10 years ago - The Times
Thursday, October 25, 2008
Social partners unite
Unions and employers yesterday called on the government to postpone the introduction of new water and electricity bills to April.
The call followed an urgent meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development during which the social partners drafted a common position against the government’s proposed utility tariffs.
Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said informed them he had noted their position and would relay it to the government. In contrast with the position Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt was reported to have taken on Thursday, Dr Said said nothing was cast in stone and the government’s revised proposals were “not final”.
General Workers’ Union general secretary Tony Zarb said on Thursday that when the social partners asked to meet again to discuss their reactions to the government’s latest proposals, Dr Gatt “said clearly that there is nothing to comment about and that the government would implement what was presented”.
Asked about his apparent change of tack over Dr Gatt’s statement, Dr Said was evasive. “Strictly-speaking, the discussion on the utility tariffs came to a close yesterday (Thursday) but nothing is final and the government is prepared to continue listening until it takes its decision. Until then, everyone can voice their opinion,” he said.
25 years ago - The Times
Monday, October 25, 1993
Last month’s theft from court strongroom may hamper pending trials
Pending trials could be seriously hampered following the theft of evidence from the court strongroom.
Sources have confirmed that a sub-machine gun, which was to have been used as evidence in a pending murder trial, and gold at the centre of two law suits, were stolen on September 18.
The police have not been informed of what other items have been stolen, but court registrar Lino Grech told The Times that a detailed inventory of the stolen exhibits would not be difficult to compile.
He said the only reason the identification exercise was taking so long was because of forensic experts had removed some envelopes for finger printing.
Various lawyers contacted by The Times, including the Opposition’s spokesman on justice, Dr John Attard Montalto, agree that exhibits constitute a vital part of a court case.
Alternattiva’s spokesman on justice, Dr Toni Abela, said: It may affect the outcome of trials if any exhibits due to be presented in court cannot be presented.”
Half a century ago - Times of Malta
Friday, October 25, 1968
Malta delegation satisfied with outcome of EEC talks
Members of the government delegation talks in Brussels on Malta’s formal application for a form of relationship with the Common Market (EEC) returned yesterday afternoon.
The delegation was led by Mr F. E. Amato Gauci, secretary, Ministry of Commonwealth and Foreign Affairs, who said on arrival that his delegation was satisfied with the outcome of the talks.
Chalet in dangerous state
Carmel Casha, representing the Joka Investment (Manchester) Co Ltd was charged before Magistrate Dr G Refalo with having left the Chalet at Għar-id-Dud in a dangerous state. The police asked the court to authorise the accused to take precautions in order to avoid any possible danger.
Baker fined for lack of safety
An employee from Santa Venera was charged before the Magistrate Court with having failed to fence securely the transmission machinery and gear wheels during the kneading machine in his bakehouse. The accused was fined £5 and warned that he would be liable to a fine at the rate of £1 per day should he fail to advise the Department of Labour that the irregularity had been rectified satisfactorily within a period of one month.