The Malta Independent On Line
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=99071
The HSBC Cares for Children Fund provided financial assistance to the Young People’s Unit at Mount Carmel Hospital to give a boost to the spirit of young patients receiving treatment over the Christmas period. Colour was added to the home with various Christmas decorations and recreational and educational activities are being organised for the 15 young people under the Unit’s care and their families.
As part of the recovery programme, these young people were encouraged to create handcrafts which were then sold at the annual fund-raising Mount Carmel bazaar.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Creation of a Franco-Maltese association in Strasbourg
The Malta Independent on line
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=99078
A Franco-Maltese association has been recently set up at the Malta consulate in Strasbourg. The association’s professional status was drafted by Jean Schacherer, a lawyer from Strasbourg and founding member of the association.
The association is composed of honorary president for France Madame le Sénateur Esther Sittler, also vice-president of the Franco-Maltese friendship group at the Senate; honorary president for Malta Judge Giovanni Bonello; resident Eric Mayer-Schaller, Honorary Consul for Malta in Strasbourg; vice-president Henry Scicluna; secretary Madame Patricia Pouliquen-Chetcuti; and treasurer -Claudine Girard.
Other Maltese founding members are Veronica Gomes, Anna Sciberras Trigona and Michael Chetcuti.
The association’s objective is to create cultural, artistic and economic links between the two countries. Its address is Association franco-maltaise Au Consulat de Malte, 51, Avenue de la Foret-Noire, 67000 Strasbourg, tel: 0033 (0) 388311360
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=99078
A Franco-Maltese association has been recently set up at the Malta consulate in Strasbourg. The association’s professional status was drafted by Jean Schacherer, a lawyer from Strasbourg and founding member of the association.
The association is composed of honorary president for France Madame le Sénateur Esther Sittler, also vice-president of the Franco-Maltese friendship group at the Senate; honorary president for Malta Judge Giovanni Bonello; resident Eric Mayer-Schaller, Honorary Consul for Malta in Strasbourg; vice-president Henry Scicluna; secretary Madame Patricia Pouliquen-Chetcuti; and treasurer -Claudine Girard.
Other Maltese founding members are Veronica Gomes, Anna Sciberras Trigona and Michael Chetcuti.
The association’s objective is to create cultural, artistic and economic links between the two countries. Its address is Association franco-maltaise Au Consulat de Malte, 51, Avenue de la Foret-Noire, 67000 Strasbourg, tel: 0033 (0) 388311360
'Milied Melliehi' activities
The Malta Independent on line
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=99067
The Milied Melliehi activities opened on Saturday night under a large tent in front of the parish church. The activities will go on until Christmas Eve.
The event included the participation of the Msida Sea Scouts Pipe Band and the Mellieha Scout group. Stalls with food and drink associated with the Christmas season have been set up, and the money raised will be donated to the Community Chest Fund.
Saturday’s activities continued with a magic show and a concert by the Philip Vella Band with the participation of Annabelle Debono, Claudia Faniello, Louisana and Nadine Bartolo.
Yesterday morning, the events started with a breakfast with Santa for children followed by a rock Mass. There was also a music and dance show and a concert given by the group Jamm with the participation of Chiara, Julia Grima, the Incorvaja Sisters and Georgina.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=99067
The Milied Melliehi activities opened on Saturday night under a large tent in front of the parish church. The activities will go on until Christmas Eve.
The event included the participation of the Msida Sea Scouts Pipe Band and the Mellieha Scout group. Stalls with food and drink associated with the Christmas season have been set up, and the money raised will be donated to the Community Chest Fund.
Saturday’s activities continued with a magic show and a concert by the Philip Vella Band with the participation of Annabelle Debono, Claudia Faniello, Louisana and Nadine Bartolo.
Yesterday morning, the events started with a breakfast with Santa for children followed by a rock Mass. There was also a music and dance show and a concert given by the group Jamm with the participation of Chiara, Julia Grima, the Incorvaja Sisters and Georgina.
How the Mission Fund helps the poor
Times of Malta
Letter
1)
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091221/letters/how-the-mission-fund-helps-the-poor-1
Sr Terenzia Maniscalco, Marikina City, The Philippines
I would like to thank the Mission Fund for the financial aid to our community, the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St Theresa of the Child Jesus.
We are really grateful for the donation that enables us to help children deprived of their basic needs here at Quezon city, in The Philippines.
The Fund enabled us to provide several families with children recovering in our oratory with a supply of rice (the basic food of The Philippines) and canned foods to meet some basic nutritional needs.
We thank the donors for helping us in our mission to help the poorest and vulnerable through their generosity and solidarity and we wish to thank them on behalf of these persons.
We promise to keep them always in our prayers so that the Good Lord will bless them and keep them ever close to His Most Sacred Heart.
Merry Christmas.
2)
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091221/letters/how-the-mission-fund-helps-the-poor-2
Fr Joseph M. Gauci Sacco, SJ, Jharkhand, India
I would like to thank the Mission Fund for sending me €1,200 as a contribution to subsidise biblical and religious literature in Santali. I am presently engaged in printing such material in Santali, the language of Santals, the largest tribe in India. Printing nowadays is very costly and unless subsidised, our poor Santals in north east India would not be able to afford to buy the material. So we have to subsidise them.
The amount will be used towards books made available to our Christian community at an affordable price.
I encourage the Maltese people to send used stamps, telecards and any other contribution to Mission Fund so that they may continue to help Maltese missionaries all over the world in their various apostolates.
Letter
1)
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091221/letters/how-the-mission-fund-helps-the-poor-1
Sr Terenzia Maniscalco, Marikina City, The Philippines
I would like to thank the Mission Fund for the financial aid to our community, the Carmelite Missionary Sisters of St Theresa of the Child Jesus.
We are really grateful for the donation that enables us to help children deprived of their basic needs here at Quezon city, in The Philippines.
The Fund enabled us to provide several families with children recovering in our oratory with a supply of rice (the basic food of The Philippines) and canned foods to meet some basic nutritional needs.
We thank the donors for helping us in our mission to help the poorest and vulnerable through their generosity and solidarity and we wish to thank them on behalf of these persons.
We promise to keep them always in our prayers so that the Good Lord will bless them and keep them ever close to His Most Sacred Heart.
Merry Christmas.
2)
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091221/letters/how-the-mission-fund-helps-the-poor-2
Fr Joseph M. Gauci Sacco, SJ, Jharkhand, India
I would like to thank the Mission Fund for sending me €1,200 as a contribution to subsidise biblical and religious literature in Santali. I am presently engaged in printing such material in Santali, the language of Santals, the largest tribe in India. Printing nowadays is very costly and unless subsidised, our poor Santals in north east India would not be able to afford to buy the material. So we have to subsidise them.
The amount will be used towards books made available to our Christian community at an affordable price.
I encourage the Maltese people to send used stamps, telecards and any other contribution to Mission Fund so that they may continue to help Maltese missionaries all over the world in their various apostolates.
Income levels cause wide disparities in home Internet access
Times of Malta
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091221/local/income-levels-cause-wide-disparities-in-home-internet-access
A survey on ICT usage among households and individuals has shown that computer and internet access amongst Maltese households rose to 67 per cent and 64 per cent respectively this year, the NSO said.
The NSO said different penetration rates were obtained when comparing internet access by household type and
household income. Internet access in households rose from 36 per cent for households earning less than €10,000 to 93 per cent for households earning €25,000 or more.
More than half of the individuals aged 16-74 in Malta and Gozo made use of computer and internet. These figures were highest among persons aged between 16 and 24 averaging over 90 per cent for both sexes.
Internet usage was also very high for persons with higher achieved levels of education. The number persons who had accessed the internet during the three months prior to the survey comprised 97 per cent of all students as well as 72 per cent of those employed.
Amongst those who used the internet in the last three months, nearly all individuals accessed the internet at home, while another 35 per cent used it at work. The use of internet for sending/receiving e-mails was widespread, with an estimated 89 per cent saying that they had used the internet for this purpose.
Nearly 40 per cent of those using internet in the last three months said that they used e-government
services to obtain information from public authorities' websites.
Another 27 per cent said that they used e-government services to download official forms.
E-Commerce
58 per cent of the persons using the internet within the last three months, ordered or purchased goods and services by means of the internet in the 12 months prior to the survey. The majority of these persons opted to purchase from retailers outside the European Union.
The most popular item category was clothing and sport goods. 41 per cent of individuals using e-commerce in the last 12 months spent between €100 to €500 during the three month period of the survey
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091221/local/income-levels-cause-wide-disparities-in-home-internet-access
A survey on ICT usage among households and individuals has shown that computer and internet access amongst Maltese households rose to 67 per cent and 64 per cent respectively this year, the NSO said.
The NSO said different penetration rates were obtained when comparing internet access by household type and
household income. Internet access in households rose from 36 per cent for households earning less than €10,000 to 93 per cent for households earning €25,000 or more.
More than half of the individuals aged 16-74 in Malta and Gozo made use of computer and internet. These figures were highest among persons aged between 16 and 24 averaging over 90 per cent for both sexes.
Internet usage was also very high for persons with higher achieved levels of education. The number persons who had accessed the internet during the three months prior to the survey comprised 97 per cent of all students as well as 72 per cent of those employed.
Amongst those who used the internet in the last three months, nearly all individuals accessed the internet at home, while another 35 per cent used it at work. The use of internet for sending/receiving e-mails was widespread, with an estimated 89 per cent saying that they had used the internet for this purpose.
Nearly 40 per cent of those using internet in the last three months said that they used e-government
services to obtain information from public authorities' websites.
Another 27 per cent said that they used e-government services to download official forms.
E-Commerce
58 per cent of the persons using the internet within the last three months, ordered or purchased goods and services by means of the internet in the 12 months prior to the survey. The majority of these persons opted to purchase from retailers outside the European Union.
The most popular item category was clothing and sport goods. 41 per cent of individuals using e-commerce in the last 12 months spent between €100 to €500 during the three month period of the survey
President underlines unity in Milied Flimkien
Times of Malta
Saturday, 19th December 2009 - 19:12CET
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091219/local/president-underlines-unity-in-milied-flimkien-message
Archbishop Paul Cremona speaking during the Milied Flimkien launch The President issued a message through his Press Office..
President George Abela in a message to mark the opening of the Milied Flimkien campaign this evening urged all Maltese to forget their differences and to remember those things which united them.
In a message issued through a press statement since he undergoing treatment in hospital, Dr Abela said there was a lot which united the Maltese people.
"We all work towards the same ends, each one of us in his own ways and according to his conscience. We all hold the country and society at heart and we all want to see the people of Malta and Gozo live in peace and prosperity. Whenever there is disagreement, this is not the result of animosity but because, in a democracy, debate and dialogue are essential," Dr Abela said.
The Milied Flinkien campaign of activities is traditionally launched in a ceremony attended by the President, the Prime Minister, the Archbishop and the Leader of the Opposition but Dr Abela was hospitalised yesterday after fainting. His office said he is responding well to treatment for low blood pressure.
Dr Abela said Christmas was a religious and civil celebration which highlighted Malta's traditions and values of family unity, a renewal of friendships and generosity to those in need.
The President referred to the forthcoming l-Istrina events and said that while this year no gifts would be offered to donors, he was confident that the people would still give generously because what they got in return was the inner peace and satisfaction of helping those who were in need, whether such needs were material or medical treatment.
This, he said, was a distinguishing value which Maltese society should always cherish
Saturday, 19th December 2009 - 19:12CET
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091219/local/president-underlines-unity-in-milied-flimkien-message
Archbishop Paul Cremona speaking during the Milied Flimkien launch The President issued a message through his Press Office..
President George Abela in a message to mark the opening of the Milied Flimkien campaign this evening urged all Maltese to forget their differences and to remember those things which united them.
In a message issued through a press statement since he undergoing treatment in hospital, Dr Abela said there was a lot which united the Maltese people.
"We all work towards the same ends, each one of us in his own ways and according to his conscience. We all hold the country and society at heart and we all want to see the people of Malta and Gozo live in peace and prosperity. Whenever there is disagreement, this is not the result of animosity but because, in a democracy, debate and dialogue are essential," Dr Abela said.
The Milied Flinkien campaign of activities is traditionally launched in a ceremony attended by the President, the Prime Minister, the Archbishop and the Leader of the Opposition but Dr Abela was hospitalised yesterday after fainting. His office said he is responding well to treatment for low blood pressure.
Dr Abela said Christmas was a religious and civil celebration which highlighted Malta's traditions and values of family unity, a renewal of friendships and generosity to those in need.
The President referred to the forthcoming l-Istrina events and said that while this year no gifts would be offered to donors, he was confident that the people would still give generously because what they got in return was the inner peace and satisfaction of helping those who were in need, whether such needs were material or medical treatment.
This, he said, was a distinguishing value which Maltese society should always cherish
'Detention centre' at City Gate
Times of Malta
Saturday, 19th December 2009 - 11:58CET
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091219/local/detention-centre-set-up-at-city-gate
Volunteers who work among illegal immigrants are camping out at City Gate to raise awareness of conditions suffered by migrants in detention.
They have set up a tent ringed by guard wire and will stay there overnight in conditions which they said are similar to conditions suffered for months by many migrants.
The protest is being held to mark World Migration Day, being celebrated today.
Various NGOs, including Graffitti and the Jesuit Refugee Service, in a joint press conference this morning spoke against the detention policy, saying the migrants were not criminals and removing their freedom was a denial of basic rights.
They insisted that detention, while being expensive, was counter-productive in that it instilled in the Maltese a perception that the migrants were criminals. It also instilled bad feeling among the migrants themselves.
Detention, they said, was not a deterrent since the migrants did not wish to come here in the first place.
"Detention is a problem, not a solution," Graffitti spokesman Andre' Callus said, arguing that it would be better if the migrants were placed in controlled open centres.
He also complained that the detention centres were so overcrowded, and conditions were so bad, that the migrants actually preferred going to prison.
The government, he said, should at least improve conditions at the detention centres and reduce the period which migrants spend there, which currently is up to 18 months.
Adel, a migrant from Somalia, said migrants came without documents because in war-torn countries, access to documents was very difficult. He said conditions in the detention centres were very difficult, and the situation was compounded by the fact that the migrants did not know how long they would be held there, and what the future held for them.
Saturday, 19th December 2009 - 11:58CET
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091219/local/detention-centre-set-up-at-city-gate
Volunteers who work among illegal immigrants are camping out at City Gate to raise awareness of conditions suffered by migrants in detention.
They have set up a tent ringed by guard wire and will stay there overnight in conditions which they said are similar to conditions suffered for months by many migrants.
The protest is being held to mark World Migration Day, being celebrated today.
Various NGOs, including Graffitti and the Jesuit Refugee Service, in a joint press conference this morning spoke against the detention policy, saying the migrants were not criminals and removing their freedom was a denial of basic rights.
They insisted that detention, while being expensive, was counter-productive in that it instilled in the Maltese a perception that the migrants were criminals. It also instilled bad feeling among the migrants themselves.
Detention, they said, was not a deterrent since the migrants did not wish to come here in the first place.
"Detention is a problem, not a solution," Graffitti spokesman Andre' Callus said, arguing that it would be better if the migrants were placed in controlled open centres.
He also complained that the detention centres were so overcrowded, and conditions were so bad, that the migrants actually preferred going to prison.
The government, he said, should at least improve conditions at the detention centres and reduce the period which migrants spend there, which currently is up to 18 months.
Adel, a migrant from Somalia, said migrants came without documents because in war-torn countries, access to documents was very difficult. He said conditions in the detention centres were very difficult, and the situation was compounded by the fact that the migrants did not know how long they would be held there, and what the future held for them.
Doujon Zammit's donor heart saves a life, and a dream wedding
Times of Malta
19th December 2009
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091219/local/doujon-zammits-donor-heart-saves-a-life-and-a-dream-wedding
Kostas Gribilas and his sweetheart Poppy. (The Daily Telegraph, Australia).
A Greek man will marry his Australian sweetheart tomorrow week thanks to another heart - the one donated to him by Maltese-Australian Doujon Zammit.
Twenty-year-old Doujon was bashed to death outside a disco/nightclub in Greece in July last year and a bouncer has been charged with the crime.
In keeping with their son's wishes, Doujon's parents had agreed to donate his organs.
His heart went to Kostas Gribilas, a Sydney-born Greek man who had been preparing to marry his Australian fiancee in Athens when he became seriously ill. The couple had a rushed civil marriage, but have since dreamed of a proper ceremony.
The details of the organ donation somehow became public, and Kostas has since been in close contact with Doujon's parents.
Doujon's father, Oliver, will be the best man at the wedding in Sydney.
The marriage is being given prominence in the Australian media.
"I owe the parents of Doujon not one thank you but 1000," Kostas was quoted saying by the Daily Telegraph of Australia.
He also paid tribute to Doujon on his Facebook page.
"Today I live because Doujon was an organ donor," he wrote.
"R.I.P my guardian angel."
19th December 2009
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091219/local/doujon-zammits-donor-heart-saves-a-life-and-a-dream-wedding
Kostas Gribilas and his sweetheart Poppy. (The Daily Telegraph, Australia).
A Greek man will marry his Australian sweetheart tomorrow week thanks to another heart - the one donated to him by Maltese-Australian Doujon Zammit.
Twenty-year-old Doujon was bashed to death outside a disco/nightclub in Greece in July last year and a bouncer has been charged with the crime.
In keeping with their son's wishes, Doujon's parents had agreed to donate his organs.
His heart went to Kostas Gribilas, a Sydney-born Greek man who had been preparing to marry his Australian fiancee in Athens when he became seriously ill. The couple had a rushed civil marriage, but have since dreamed of a proper ceremony.
The details of the organ donation somehow became public, and Kostas has since been in close contact with Doujon's parents.
Doujon's father, Oliver, will be the best man at the wedding in Sydney.
The marriage is being given prominence in the Australian media.
"I owe the parents of Doujon not one thank you but 1000," Kostas was quoted saying by the Daily Telegraph of Australia.
He also paid tribute to Doujon on his Facebook page.
"Today I live because Doujon was an organ donor," he wrote.
"R.I.P my guardian angel."
Italian man mugged in Paceville
Times of Malta
19th December 2009
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091219/local/italian-man-mugged-in-paceville
An Italian man was mugged and robbed of €200 while walking at Dragonara Road, Paceville, this morning.
The police said the incident happened at 4.45 a.m. The Italian, aged 35, was approached by two men who pointed a knife at him and took his wallet.
It contained the cash and personal documents.
19th December 2009
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091219/local/italian-man-mugged-in-paceville
An Italian man was mugged and robbed of €200 while walking at Dragonara Road, Paceville, this morning.
The police said the incident happened at 4.45 a.m. The Italian, aged 35, was approached by two men who pointed a knife at him and took his wallet.
It contained the cash and personal documents.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Valletta citizens on most state benefits
The Malta Independent On line
by Scott Grech
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98890
Of the 68 localities in Malta and Gozo, Valletta stands out for having almost one out of every two of its inhabitants claiming a form of social security benefit or other. On the other hand, the locality with the least number of people claiming social security benefits is Swieqi.
For the first time ever, the National Statistics Office (NSO) yesterday published an analysis of social security benefits of inhabitants of each locality, entitled ‘Social Security Benefits: A Locality Perspective 2009’, the first of its kind.
Valletta, as a locality, had the highest ratio of beneficiaries compared to its population – 47.8 per cent, in comparison with the national average of 35 per cent.
On the other hand, Swieqi had the lowest rate of beneficiaries – 22.9 per cent.
Up to 2008, almost 35.4 per cent of the total population received some form of social security benefit, with the Southern Harbour region (encompassing the Cottonera localities, Fgura and Kalkara) together with Gozo and Comino having a higher percentage of the share of total beneficiaries when compared in ratio to the total population.
According to Director General Michael Pace Ross, the purpose of the publication “is not to introduce some sort of competitive sense among localities, but to bring to the fore realities which exist in our cities, towns and villages. One objective is to provide a useful tool to planners and decision makers, at both local and national levels, that they may be enabled to devise ways of addressing these realities and to design measures for dealing with them.”
Nevertheless, the publication certainly brings closer to home the division which exists between the Northern regions of Malta and the Southern regions.
Statistician Clyde Caruana said that the studies, which have been going on for the past nine months, have taken into account the number of citizens on benefits for the years 2000, 2004 and 2008, with a four-year gap between each year needed in order to observe the necessary trends. Furthermore, calculations for all localities were based on the assumption that the population of every locality stands at 1,000 persons, making sure that every locality is on the same playing field.
Using this methodology, for every 1,000 persons living in Cospicua, 24.2 are single unmarried parents claiming benefits, followed by Senglea with 21, Xghajra (20.7), Valletta (20.1) and Floriana (13.5).
On the other hand, in Gozo, the localities of Xewkija, with an average of one single unmarried person per 1,000 claiming benefits, Qala (1.2), Xaghra (1.5), Mgarr (1.6) and San Lawrenz (1.7), find themselves in the bottom five beneficiaries in this regard.
Moreover, the localities of Xghajra (17.7), Cospicua (11.7), Pembroke (10.9), Mgarr, Malta (9.5) and Mellieha (9.2) are the ones with the most mothers on state maternity benefits, which normally run for a period of 14 weeks after a mother gives birth.
On the other hand, the locality with the lowest rate of mothers on maternity benefits is Gudja (1.7), closely followed by Ta’ Xbiex, with 2.1.
Gozitans account for the highest number of persons who have been boarded out and currently benefit from invalidity pensions. Ghasri (51.2) tops the list, followed by Xewkija (49.8), Fontana (43.4), Xaghra (39.7) and Kercem (39.4). The least number of beneficiaries on invalidity pensions live in Swieqi (6.3), followed by people living in Mtarfa (6.5), Attard (9.2), Ta’ Xbiex (11.2) and Sliema (12.3).
Citizens residing in localities within the Southern Harbour district claim more unemployment benefits than other regions, with Xghajra, Cospicua, Senglea, Vittoriosa and Zejtun the top five beneficiaries of unemployment benefits.
The bottom five beneficiaries with regard to unemployment benefits are the localities of Swieqi, San Lawrenz, Mgarr, Xaghra and Balzan.
On the other hand, the localities of Attard, Swieqi, Mosta, Lija and Mgarr (Malta) are least affected by unemployment, whereas Valletta, Cospicua, Zebbug (Gozo), Xghajra and Floriana are the ones with the highest number of citizens claiming unemployment assistance benefits.
The localities with the highest number of persons on retirement pensions are Mdina, with a rate of 308 of every 1,000 persons having a retirement pension, Sliema (181.8), Floriana (176.4), Luqa (162.8) and Hamrun (160.3), while the localities with the least number of persons on retirement pension benefits are Mtarfa (43.4), Iklin (58.8), Marsascala (62.3), Xghajra (67.5) and Swieqi (69.6).
With Budget 2008 laying the foundations for the introduction of the Children’s Allowance Flat Rate scheme (which set future children’s allowances according to those families which exceed the means-test limit on income), the families which gained most from this scheme were Xghajra (178.1), Pembroke (177.9) and Marsascala (146.4). The lowest number of beneficiaries within this category was reported in the localities of Sliema (59.6), Mdina (64) and Ta’ Xbiex (66.4).
In terms of expenditure, Sliema beneficiaries were the most costly, with the average standing at around E5,796 per annum, while Pembroke beneficiaries were the most economical at E2,816 per beneficiary. The expenditure on beneficiaries residing in the Northern Harbour and Southern Harbour region was higher than national average expenditure per beneficiary, by E414 and E406 respectively.
The statistics also shed light into Malta and Gozo’s increasingly aging population. In the year 2000, the islands’ population stood at 391,415 while in the year 2004, the islands saw an increase in population, which stood at 402,668. However, four years later, in 2008, the population stood at 413,609, with around 31,000 of the citizens living in Gozo
by Scott Grech
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98890
Of the 68 localities in Malta and Gozo, Valletta stands out for having almost one out of every two of its inhabitants claiming a form of social security benefit or other. On the other hand, the locality with the least number of people claiming social security benefits is Swieqi.
For the first time ever, the National Statistics Office (NSO) yesterday published an analysis of social security benefits of inhabitants of each locality, entitled ‘Social Security Benefits: A Locality Perspective 2009’, the first of its kind.
Valletta, as a locality, had the highest ratio of beneficiaries compared to its population – 47.8 per cent, in comparison with the national average of 35 per cent.
On the other hand, Swieqi had the lowest rate of beneficiaries – 22.9 per cent.
Up to 2008, almost 35.4 per cent of the total population received some form of social security benefit, with the Southern Harbour region (encompassing the Cottonera localities, Fgura and Kalkara) together with Gozo and Comino having a higher percentage of the share of total beneficiaries when compared in ratio to the total population.
According to Director General Michael Pace Ross, the purpose of the publication “is not to introduce some sort of competitive sense among localities, but to bring to the fore realities which exist in our cities, towns and villages. One objective is to provide a useful tool to planners and decision makers, at both local and national levels, that they may be enabled to devise ways of addressing these realities and to design measures for dealing with them.”
Nevertheless, the publication certainly brings closer to home the division which exists between the Northern regions of Malta and the Southern regions.
Statistician Clyde Caruana said that the studies, which have been going on for the past nine months, have taken into account the number of citizens on benefits for the years 2000, 2004 and 2008, with a four-year gap between each year needed in order to observe the necessary trends. Furthermore, calculations for all localities were based on the assumption that the population of every locality stands at 1,000 persons, making sure that every locality is on the same playing field.
Using this methodology, for every 1,000 persons living in Cospicua, 24.2 are single unmarried parents claiming benefits, followed by Senglea with 21, Xghajra (20.7), Valletta (20.1) and Floriana (13.5).
On the other hand, in Gozo, the localities of Xewkija, with an average of one single unmarried person per 1,000 claiming benefits, Qala (1.2), Xaghra (1.5), Mgarr (1.6) and San Lawrenz (1.7), find themselves in the bottom five beneficiaries in this regard.
Moreover, the localities of Xghajra (17.7), Cospicua (11.7), Pembroke (10.9), Mgarr, Malta (9.5) and Mellieha (9.2) are the ones with the most mothers on state maternity benefits, which normally run for a period of 14 weeks after a mother gives birth.
On the other hand, the locality with the lowest rate of mothers on maternity benefits is Gudja (1.7), closely followed by Ta’ Xbiex, with 2.1.
Gozitans account for the highest number of persons who have been boarded out and currently benefit from invalidity pensions. Ghasri (51.2) tops the list, followed by Xewkija (49.8), Fontana (43.4), Xaghra (39.7) and Kercem (39.4). The least number of beneficiaries on invalidity pensions live in Swieqi (6.3), followed by people living in Mtarfa (6.5), Attard (9.2), Ta’ Xbiex (11.2) and Sliema (12.3).
Citizens residing in localities within the Southern Harbour district claim more unemployment benefits than other regions, with Xghajra, Cospicua, Senglea, Vittoriosa and Zejtun the top five beneficiaries of unemployment benefits.
The bottom five beneficiaries with regard to unemployment benefits are the localities of Swieqi, San Lawrenz, Mgarr, Xaghra and Balzan.
On the other hand, the localities of Attard, Swieqi, Mosta, Lija and Mgarr (Malta) are least affected by unemployment, whereas Valletta, Cospicua, Zebbug (Gozo), Xghajra and Floriana are the ones with the highest number of citizens claiming unemployment assistance benefits.
The localities with the highest number of persons on retirement pensions are Mdina, with a rate of 308 of every 1,000 persons having a retirement pension, Sliema (181.8), Floriana (176.4), Luqa (162.8) and Hamrun (160.3), while the localities with the least number of persons on retirement pension benefits are Mtarfa (43.4), Iklin (58.8), Marsascala (62.3), Xghajra (67.5) and Swieqi (69.6).
With Budget 2008 laying the foundations for the introduction of the Children’s Allowance Flat Rate scheme (which set future children’s allowances according to those families which exceed the means-test limit on income), the families which gained most from this scheme were Xghajra (178.1), Pembroke (177.9) and Marsascala (146.4). The lowest number of beneficiaries within this category was reported in the localities of Sliema (59.6), Mdina (64) and Ta’ Xbiex (66.4).
In terms of expenditure, Sliema beneficiaries were the most costly, with the average standing at around E5,796 per annum, while Pembroke beneficiaries were the most economical at E2,816 per beneficiary. The expenditure on beneficiaries residing in the Northern Harbour and Southern Harbour region was higher than national average expenditure per beneficiary, by E414 and E406 respectively.
The statistics also shed light into Malta and Gozo’s increasingly aging population. In the year 2000, the islands’ population stood at 391,415 while in the year 2004, the islands saw an increase in population, which stood at 402,668. However, four years later, in 2008, the population stood at 413,609, with around 31,000 of the citizens living in Gozo
Milied Melliehi promising mouthwatering dishes
The Malta Independent On line
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98905
The Mellieha local Council is organising Milied Melliehi, with the participation of local organisations, between 19 and 25 December.
A number of organisations will be preparing and serving various food and drinks, including special Christmas recipes. Food sales will be in aid of l-Istrina.
“Following last year’s success, the Mellieha Local Council decided to organise the second edition of Milied Melliehi for all Maltese people to celebrate Christmas festivities with us,” said Mellieha mayor Robert Cutajar in comments. President George Abela will be officially opening the event.
Treacle rings, mince pies and Christmas logs will be served together with chestnuts, chocolate and chestnut puree (imbuljuta), and mulled wine.
Chicken wraps and turkey stew will be served by the Choral and Orchestral Society Maria Bambina, while the toffee apples and mince pies will be prepared by the British Residents Association.
Timpana, hot dogs, pork meat and focaccia will also be served. Meanwhile, waffles, crepes, imqaret, cookies and bread pudding will be available for dessert. For those who would like to warm up, cappuccino and hot chocolate will be available.
An eighteenth century kitchen will be set up, serving traditional soup, Maltese sausage, and Maltese coffee. Christmas breakfast will be served under the tent after the Christmas Eve church service.
Meanwhile, visitors will be able to enjoy crib and painting exhibitions, an artisan exhibition, and daily music programmes.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98905
The Mellieha local Council is organising Milied Melliehi, with the participation of local organisations, between 19 and 25 December.
A number of organisations will be preparing and serving various food and drinks, including special Christmas recipes. Food sales will be in aid of l-Istrina.
“Following last year’s success, the Mellieha Local Council decided to organise the second edition of Milied Melliehi for all Maltese people to celebrate Christmas festivities with us,” said Mellieha mayor Robert Cutajar in comments. President George Abela will be officially opening the event.
Treacle rings, mince pies and Christmas logs will be served together with chestnuts, chocolate and chestnut puree (imbuljuta), and mulled wine.
Chicken wraps and turkey stew will be served by the Choral and Orchestral Society Maria Bambina, while the toffee apples and mince pies will be prepared by the British Residents Association.
Timpana, hot dogs, pork meat and focaccia will also be served. Meanwhile, waffles, crepes, imqaret, cookies and bread pudding will be available for dessert. For those who would like to warm up, cappuccino and hot chocolate will be available.
An eighteenth century kitchen will be set up, serving traditional soup, Maltese sausage, and Maltese coffee. Christmas breakfast will be served under the tent after the Christmas Eve church service.
Meanwhile, visitors will be able to enjoy crib and painting exhibitions, an artisan exhibition, and daily music programmes.
Donations far and wide
The Malta Independent on line
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98912
American Ambassador Douglas Kmiec has met representatives of Maltese charitable institutions which have received a donation from the Maltese living in the US and Canada.
The ambassador told the meeting, held at his residence, that it was an honour for him to present the cheques on behalf of the American Foundation for Maltese Charities, and he praised the invaluable work the institutions carry out.
The money, he said, was raised by Maltese and Gozitans living in North America who had not forgotten their country of birth.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98912
American Ambassador Douglas Kmiec has met representatives of Maltese charitable institutions which have received a donation from the Maltese living in the US and Canada.
The ambassador told the meeting, held at his residence, that it was an honour for him to present the cheques on behalf of the American Foundation for Maltese Charities, and he praised the invaluable work the institutions carry out.
The money, he said, was raised by Maltese and Gozitans living in North America who had not forgotten their country of birth.
Welfare shows north-south differences
Di-Ve
by John Paul Cordina - editorial@di-ve.com
Current Affairs
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67747&newscategory=31
Sharp regional differences exist in the provision of social benefits, with high rates of welfare dependency around the Grand Harbour and in the south and relatively low ones in Malta’s north and west.
A National Statistics Office study on social security benefits published on Thursday showed that in 2008, 0.72 per cent of the Maltese population received unemployment benefits, which are payable to unemployed persons for a period of 156 days, while a further 1.3 per cent received unemployment assistance, which is granted to heads of households after the period for the unemployment benefit is elapsed.
However, the figure rises to 1 per cent and 2.17 per cent respectively in the Southern Harbour region, which includes Valletta, the 3 Cities and nearby localities.
In 2008, €1.54 million were spent on unemployment benefits, while €16.1 million were spent on unemployment assistance.
The region also accounted for the largest proportion of recipients of social assistance for single unmarried parents.
The lowest rate was recorded in Gozo and Comino, but the islands recorded the largest proportion of beneficiaries receiving the national minimum invalidity pension: 3.19 per cent of the population. The highest rate was registered in Għasri, were just over 5 per cent received this pension.
The lowest rate of people on unemployment benefits is found in the Northern and Western regions, which span from Mellieħa all the way down to Dingli and Siġġiewi.
by John Paul Cordina - editorial@di-ve.com
Current Affairs
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67747&newscategory=31
Sharp regional differences exist in the provision of social benefits, with high rates of welfare dependency around the Grand Harbour and in the south and relatively low ones in Malta’s north and west.
A National Statistics Office study on social security benefits published on Thursday showed that in 2008, 0.72 per cent of the Maltese population received unemployment benefits, which are payable to unemployed persons for a period of 156 days, while a further 1.3 per cent received unemployment assistance, which is granted to heads of households after the period for the unemployment benefit is elapsed.
However, the figure rises to 1 per cent and 2.17 per cent respectively in the Southern Harbour region, which includes Valletta, the 3 Cities and nearby localities.
In 2008, €1.54 million were spent on unemployment benefits, while €16.1 million were spent on unemployment assistance.
The region also accounted for the largest proportion of recipients of social assistance for single unmarried parents.
The lowest rate was recorded in Gozo and Comino, but the islands recorded the largest proportion of beneficiaries receiving the national minimum invalidity pension: 3.19 per cent of the population. The highest rate was registered in Għasri, were just over 5 per cent received this pension.
The lowest rate of people on unemployment benefits is found in the Northern and Western regions, which span from Mellieħa all the way down to Dingli and Siġġiewi.
Malta assistance to the Middle East
The Independent of Malta On line
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98889
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has selected two proposals in Bethlehem and Jerusalem to benefit from Overseas Development Assistance, consonant with the government’s objective of granting, as a priority, development assistance to the Middle East, and in keeping with the further objective of seeking to support and assist programmes that focus on education, health and children.
At Bethlehem University, the ministry is assisting in the procurement of technology-related hardware items that are needed in support of the educational mission of Bethlehem University, including several desktop PCs, portable LCD projectors and a heavy duty laser printer.
Bethlehem University of the Holy Land is a Catholic Christian co-educational institution of higher learning founded in 1973 in the Lasallian tradition, open to students of all faiths. It is the first university established in the West Bank.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is contributing e12,750, representing 80 per cent of the total amount of requirements.
At St Louis Hospital – Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition, Jerusalem, the ministry is assisting in the renovation of the X-ray Department by financing the purchase and installation of a dedicated workstation and related equipment.
Located just outside the New Gate of Jerusalem’s Old City, St Louis Hospital provides hospice and geriatric care for Jerusalem residents regardless of their race, religion or nationality. Today the staff of 60, including doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, support staff and 25 volunteers, provides care for some 50 patients.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is contributing e12,224, equivalent to 80 per cent of the price of the equipment and the work to be carried out.
During 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assisted 11 projects in various countries using the available budget of e330,000.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98889
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has selected two proposals in Bethlehem and Jerusalem to benefit from Overseas Development Assistance, consonant with the government’s objective of granting, as a priority, development assistance to the Middle East, and in keeping with the further objective of seeking to support and assist programmes that focus on education, health and children.
At Bethlehem University, the ministry is assisting in the procurement of technology-related hardware items that are needed in support of the educational mission of Bethlehem University, including several desktop PCs, portable LCD projectors and a heavy duty laser printer.
Bethlehem University of the Holy Land is a Catholic Christian co-educational institution of higher learning founded in 1973 in the Lasallian tradition, open to students of all faiths. It is the first university established in the West Bank.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is contributing e12,750, representing 80 per cent of the total amount of requirements.
At St Louis Hospital – Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition, Jerusalem, the ministry is assisting in the renovation of the X-ray Department by financing the purchase and installation of a dedicated workstation and related equipment.
Located just outside the New Gate of Jerusalem’s Old City, St Louis Hospital provides hospice and geriatric care for Jerusalem residents regardless of their race, religion or nationality. Today the staff of 60, including doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, support staff and 25 volunteers, provides care for some 50 patients.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is contributing e12,224, equivalent to 80 per cent of the price of the equipment and the work to be carried out.
During 2009, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assisted 11 projects in various countries using the available budget of e330,000.
Enter civil society
The Independent of Malta
Enter civil society
by Josie Muscat
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98898
Is there a state of quasi-war between environmental NGOs and the government? It certainly seems so judging by recent events. In this small country of ours it is not difficult to recognise the agenda of any organisation one cares to mention. And those whose agenda is to defend the government have been clashing badly with environmental groupings by using what in Malta is the ultimate accusation of iniquity: they are not only politically motivated, they are actually in cahoots with the opposition. Shame on them!
Civil society lacks the nuts-and-bolts power of executive authority or the more sweeping powers of elected leaders, but everywhere in the free world its voice has been growing stronger. Civil society is no longer considered a bunch of dubious do-gooders, but as the genuine voice of participative democracy. Needless to say, they can be, and often are, a source of embarrassment to even the most democratic of governments. That embarrassment is often underlined when, on the one hand, government has perforce to give space, meet and listen to civil society, but then ignores most of its suggestions. That is nothing but cosmetic democracy in action.
Civil society is close to the roots
Nevertheless it is a fact that civil society has been ahead of governments on many key issues and the reason generally is that, due to the inability of the political system to solve many urgent problems, civil society, which represents an infinity of views and ways of thinking, has organised itself in different ways to express its wish to change and correct the orientation of political management and put pressure on those who have political and executive authority. It has often been an instrument of correction for erroneous policies. The less government delivers, the stronger the voice of civil society grows, and any government would be very shortsighted indeed to ignore such obvious signs of discontent.
I remember a claim that in the UK, Amnesty International has more members than the Labour Party. If that is so, and I say this with reference to all political parties, it is a sign of a healthy democracy that we could well imitate in Malta, where far too often debate ends up in the usual political recrimination that poisons the well of good intentions that was its origin. Reading online comments recently, one would think that trying to save green areas for our children, trying to save historic buildings that may have been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair (often the first step towards demolition), and trying to restrain development gone mad, is a crime of heinous proportions.
Participative democracy
At the heart of the growth of civil society is the belief that democracy must express itself between one act of voting and the next. When civil society organisations, such as environmental organisations, promote campaigns to preserve diminishing green areas and to preserve our historical heritage, and in doing so obtain the support of whole communities in the affected areas, they are actually promoting another form of democracy or politics. Participative democracy is a more effective way of marshalling a genuine consensus and drawing on the actual experience of citizens when developing policy and legislation. It is, after all, the way it was at its inception and it is increasingly becoming more and more obvious that simply voting every few years and leaving the rest to politicians will only serve to endanger the democratic principle.
Make love not war
It’s also not fair to expect governments, once elected, to possess the full universe of knowledge that’s necessary to address all problems. Real engagement with civil society, while allowing it space for real participation means that governments enrich themselves when utilising the reservoir of knowledge that is to be found within any society, including ours on this island. This was the reason why Azzjoni Nazzjonali had proposed the use of referenda, both to enable the citizen to express his consent to the passage of laws and, equally, ask for their abrogation.
In Malta the voice of civil society can only get stronger. Democracy can only be strengthened when political parties and the government realise that they need to listen and act when organisations express the hope and aspirations of their communities, just as these same civil society organisations can encourage government when they support practical interventions which have a direct effect on people’s lives.
In the name of the ruled
In an ideal world, civil society would be complimentary to the democratic process, not a competitor to it, but in the current world civil society, the voice of the citizen in his community, has the right to challenge the perceived corruption, the waste, the unaccountability and the lack of transparency of the current political system.
Dr Josie Muscat
Leader Azzjoni Nazzjonali
Enter civil society
by Josie Muscat
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98898
Is there a state of quasi-war between environmental NGOs and the government? It certainly seems so judging by recent events. In this small country of ours it is not difficult to recognise the agenda of any organisation one cares to mention. And those whose agenda is to defend the government have been clashing badly with environmental groupings by using what in Malta is the ultimate accusation of iniquity: they are not only politically motivated, they are actually in cahoots with the opposition. Shame on them!
Civil society lacks the nuts-and-bolts power of executive authority or the more sweeping powers of elected leaders, but everywhere in the free world its voice has been growing stronger. Civil society is no longer considered a bunch of dubious do-gooders, but as the genuine voice of participative democracy. Needless to say, they can be, and often are, a source of embarrassment to even the most democratic of governments. That embarrassment is often underlined when, on the one hand, government has perforce to give space, meet and listen to civil society, but then ignores most of its suggestions. That is nothing but cosmetic democracy in action.
Civil society is close to the roots
Nevertheless it is a fact that civil society has been ahead of governments on many key issues and the reason generally is that, due to the inability of the political system to solve many urgent problems, civil society, which represents an infinity of views and ways of thinking, has organised itself in different ways to express its wish to change and correct the orientation of political management and put pressure on those who have political and executive authority. It has often been an instrument of correction for erroneous policies. The less government delivers, the stronger the voice of civil society grows, and any government would be very shortsighted indeed to ignore such obvious signs of discontent.
I remember a claim that in the UK, Amnesty International has more members than the Labour Party. If that is so, and I say this with reference to all political parties, it is a sign of a healthy democracy that we could well imitate in Malta, where far too often debate ends up in the usual political recrimination that poisons the well of good intentions that was its origin. Reading online comments recently, one would think that trying to save green areas for our children, trying to save historic buildings that may have been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair (often the first step towards demolition), and trying to restrain development gone mad, is a crime of heinous proportions.
Participative democracy
At the heart of the growth of civil society is the belief that democracy must express itself between one act of voting and the next. When civil society organisations, such as environmental organisations, promote campaigns to preserve diminishing green areas and to preserve our historical heritage, and in doing so obtain the support of whole communities in the affected areas, they are actually promoting another form of democracy or politics. Participative democracy is a more effective way of marshalling a genuine consensus and drawing on the actual experience of citizens when developing policy and legislation. It is, after all, the way it was at its inception and it is increasingly becoming more and more obvious that simply voting every few years and leaving the rest to politicians will only serve to endanger the democratic principle.
Make love not war
It’s also not fair to expect governments, once elected, to possess the full universe of knowledge that’s necessary to address all problems. Real engagement with civil society, while allowing it space for real participation means that governments enrich themselves when utilising the reservoir of knowledge that is to be found within any society, including ours on this island. This was the reason why Azzjoni Nazzjonali had proposed the use of referenda, both to enable the citizen to express his consent to the passage of laws and, equally, ask for their abrogation.
In Malta the voice of civil society can only get stronger. Democracy can only be strengthened when political parties and the government realise that they need to listen and act when organisations express the hope and aspirations of their communities, just as these same civil society organisations can encourage government when they support practical interventions which have a direct effect on people’s lives.
In the name of the ruled
In an ideal world, civil society would be complimentary to the democratic process, not a competitor to it, but in the current world civil society, the voice of the citizen in his community, has the right to challenge the perceived corruption, the waste, the unaccountability and the lack of transparency of the current political system.
Dr Josie Muscat
Leader Azzjoni Nazzjonali
Respecting religious feelings and freedom
Times of Malta
Laiq Ahmed Atif, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta, Ta' Xbiex
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091218/letters/respecting-religious-feelings-and-freedom
Freedom is a prerogative of all living things, man being no exception. Liberty is the most cherished fruit of life.
Man is the epitome of liberty which is ingrained in him. His very texture is woven with the yarn of liberty.
And man enjoys at most, his freedom of faith, because every human being has this right to choose and practise a religion of his own choice. All the main religions of the world believe in freedom of faith. The Holy Quran makes it absolutely clear that "there is no compulsion in religion" (2:257). As long as that principle is adhered to, harmony, love and peace will be maintained in the society.
Yet, amazingly, we find all man-made institutions shaped to work against the liberty of man in the final analysis. A careful study of the history of progressive growth of traditions, customs and legislation is sufficient to prove this assertion.
Over the last few years, we have seen a considerable amount of adverse reaction to the wearing or display of religious symbols. The recent days have witnessed two more of this series as banning Christian crucifixes and minarets of Muslim mosques. Traditionally the main purpose of a minaret has been to provide a vantage point for the Muslim call to prayer.
The call to prayer can be compared to the ringing of bells from a church tower because both signify the time for worship. However, out of respect for the local indigenous population, in most Ahmadi mosques in the Western countries this does not occur and the call to prayer is instead performed from inside the mosque to minimise disturbance to non-Muslims.
Nonetheless, the minaret continues to play a role as a key architectural feature of the Islamic faith. In all Ahmadi mosques the true Islamic principles of love, peace and tolerance are continually exhorted and practised.
How can the religious symbols be a means of offence, when they are only the symbols of respect and love towards religion and God?
Practising the faith of one's own choice is a fundamental human right and we cannot exclude the wearing or display of religious symbols from this fundamental human right.
And just because a symbol is shown somewhere in the modern age does not mean that someone is compelled to adopt that religion, or to accept the views represented by that symbol.
Respecting religious symbols of all the faiths and respecting sentiments of the people of different religions will lead to international peace. And according to the Islamic teachings, Ahmadiyya Community is always committed to show great respect to all the religions, their founders, symbols and holy places.
Therefore, if peace is to be established, we will have to respect the sentiments of each other and safeguard the rights of society. It is easy to spread hatred but very difficult to sow the seeds of love.
Modern man can find the whole world before him at the touch of a button while seated on his sofa in his drawing room. Were all the efforts to achieve that nearness of a global village aimed at kindling the fire of hatred or were they to witness the evergreen fruit-bearing trees of love and sympathy for mankind? Everyone will certainly agree that our goal should be to acquire and promote love.
Laiq Ahmed Atif, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta, Ta' Xbiex
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091218/letters/respecting-religious-feelings-and-freedom
Freedom is a prerogative of all living things, man being no exception. Liberty is the most cherished fruit of life.
Man is the epitome of liberty which is ingrained in him. His very texture is woven with the yarn of liberty.
And man enjoys at most, his freedom of faith, because every human being has this right to choose and practise a religion of his own choice. All the main religions of the world believe in freedom of faith. The Holy Quran makes it absolutely clear that "there is no compulsion in religion" (2:257). As long as that principle is adhered to, harmony, love and peace will be maintained in the society.
Yet, amazingly, we find all man-made institutions shaped to work against the liberty of man in the final analysis. A careful study of the history of progressive growth of traditions, customs and legislation is sufficient to prove this assertion.
Over the last few years, we have seen a considerable amount of adverse reaction to the wearing or display of religious symbols. The recent days have witnessed two more of this series as banning Christian crucifixes and minarets of Muslim mosques. Traditionally the main purpose of a minaret has been to provide a vantage point for the Muslim call to prayer.
The call to prayer can be compared to the ringing of bells from a church tower because both signify the time for worship. However, out of respect for the local indigenous population, in most Ahmadi mosques in the Western countries this does not occur and the call to prayer is instead performed from inside the mosque to minimise disturbance to non-Muslims.
Nonetheless, the minaret continues to play a role as a key architectural feature of the Islamic faith. In all Ahmadi mosques the true Islamic principles of love, peace and tolerance are continually exhorted and practised.
How can the religious symbols be a means of offence, when they are only the symbols of respect and love towards religion and God?
Practising the faith of one's own choice is a fundamental human right and we cannot exclude the wearing or display of religious symbols from this fundamental human right.
And just because a symbol is shown somewhere in the modern age does not mean that someone is compelled to adopt that religion, or to accept the views represented by that symbol.
Respecting religious symbols of all the faiths and respecting sentiments of the people of different religions will lead to international peace. And according to the Islamic teachings, Ahmadiyya Community is always committed to show great respect to all the religions, their founders, symbols and holy places.
Therefore, if peace is to be established, we will have to respect the sentiments of each other and safeguard the rights of society. It is easy to spread hatred but very difficult to sow the seeds of love.
Modern man can find the whole world before him at the touch of a button while seated on his sofa in his drawing room. Were all the efforts to achieve that nearness of a global village aimed at kindling the fire of hatred or were they to witness the evergreen fruit-bearing trees of love and sympathy for mankind? Everyone will certainly agree that our goal should be to acquire and promote love.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Primary care in Malta
The Malta Independent on line
by Anthony P Azzopardi
Letters
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98860
At present the Primary Care system in Malta is run by two systems: The polyclinic (health centre) system, which is free at the point of delivery, and the private family doctor service (against payment).
The former is undermanned to the extent that some health centres have to close in the evenings and at night. The service provided by the medical professionals at these health centres is episodic in that it provides no continuity of care since frequently the doctor has to refer patients to secondary care (i.e. to Accident and Emergency or to consultants in hospital). The setup at health centres cannot guarantee that he/she will follow-up a particular patient.
However health centre doctors have access to several facilities which are still being denied to private family doctors. Family doctors working only in private practice cannot order several blood tests such as specific tests for diabetes (the “national” disease), for thyroid malfunction or to screen for cancer of the prostate. Unlike their colleagues working at health centres, they are unable to view results of X-rays, CT scans or blood tests results online. Thus, they too have to frequently refer patients to secondary care just to obtain these tests or the results thereof.
This “unnecessary” referral to secondary care is an added burden on government health expenditure. The government has just issued the “costs” of visits/appointments and procedures carried out at Mater Dei Hospital. An Accident and Emergency consultation costs e46.59, whilst an outpatient consultation costs e34.94. Add to this the loss of time (and the value of this loss of time) to the patient and to whoever accompanies him for the several times required to finally get the result. One must then multiply the resultant sum by the number of patients who need not have accessed secondary care in the first place.
The Reform in Primary Care announced recently addresses these issues.
So is the reform a cost-cutting exercise? Of course it is!
In all fairness however, this is not the only aim of the reform, which has long been overdue. For one thing it should reduce hospital waiting lists, which would leave more time for consultants to attend to other cases that really require hospital consultant care.
We welcome the commitment by government to reform this important sector. However, there are issues which will need to be discussed, elaborated and possibly amended. We make it clear that we are apolitical.
Government has been so clear in those aspects which relate to its part: Registration for everybody is compulsory. An 24/7/365 cover is envisaged. Group practices are to be set up; quality assurance will be mandatory. Clinical audits and practice accreditation will be required.
It is not at all clear how these responsibilities, all extra to the present family doctor’s set-ups, will be financed and managed by the doctors. We are not sure how clear government is either.
Nothing is free. In the consultation document there is no mention of where the substantial funds required to set up practices, employ staff and to improve facilities are to come from.
The systems in three countries have been quoted as examples, The Netherlands, Denmark and the UK. Will the Maltese government match the financial commitments made by the respective governments to make their systems work? Vague statements are not good enough.
Access to secondary care and to the social services will be only through doctors who agree to participate in the scheme. This is reasonable – to an extent. But what about the patients whose doctor/s do not choose to participate in this new system? Will they be denied what is theirs by right?
We are ready to participate in discussions with the Health Department, as we have been doing all along, for as long as it takes. But does this whole system have to be up and running before we can order more investigations and access results on our patients’ behalf? This would reap immediate benefits. On the other hand, the provision of these facilities, which after all benefit the patient, should not be like carrots dangled in front of private family doctors to entice them to participate. Once the technology is presently available these are the rights of the patients – whoever their doctor is.
Private family doctors will be the linchpins in running the system. If they do not accept it and what it entails, then it will not even take off. However, we are confident that reason will prevail and that no hurried “reforms” would be launched until all the above points, and others, are thrashed out.
Anthony P Azzopardi
President of the Association of Private Family Doctors
by Anthony P Azzopardi
Letters
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98860
At present the Primary Care system in Malta is run by two systems: The polyclinic (health centre) system, which is free at the point of delivery, and the private family doctor service (against payment).
The former is undermanned to the extent that some health centres have to close in the evenings and at night. The service provided by the medical professionals at these health centres is episodic in that it provides no continuity of care since frequently the doctor has to refer patients to secondary care (i.e. to Accident and Emergency or to consultants in hospital). The setup at health centres cannot guarantee that he/she will follow-up a particular patient.
However health centre doctors have access to several facilities which are still being denied to private family doctors. Family doctors working only in private practice cannot order several blood tests such as specific tests for diabetes (the “national” disease), for thyroid malfunction or to screen for cancer of the prostate. Unlike their colleagues working at health centres, they are unable to view results of X-rays, CT scans or blood tests results online. Thus, they too have to frequently refer patients to secondary care just to obtain these tests or the results thereof.
This “unnecessary” referral to secondary care is an added burden on government health expenditure. The government has just issued the “costs” of visits/appointments and procedures carried out at Mater Dei Hospital. An Accident and Emergency consultation costs e46.59, whilst an outpatient consultation costs e34.94. Add to this the loss of time (and the value of this loss of time) to the patient and to whoever accompanies him for the several times required to finally get the result. One must then multiply the resultant sum by the number of patients who need not have accessed secondary care in the first place.
The Reform in Primary Care announced recently addresses these issues.
So is the reform a cost-cutting exercise? Of course it is!
In all fairness however, this is not the only aim of the reform, which has long been overdue. For one thing it should reduce hospital waiting lists, which would leave more time for consultants to attend to other cases that really require hospital consultant care.
We welcome the commitment by government to reform this important sector. However, there are issues which will need to be discussed, elaborated and possibly amended. We make it clear that we are apolitical.
Government has been so clear in those aspects which relate to its part: Registration for everybody is compulsory. An 24/7/365 cover is envisaged. Group practices are to be set up; quality assurance will be mandatory. Clinical audits and practice accreditation will be required.
It is not at all clear how these responsibilities, all extra to the present family doctor’s set-ups, will be financed and managed by the doctors. We are not sure how clear government is either.
Nothing is free. In the consultation document there is no mention of where the substantial funds required to set up practices, employ staff and to improve facilities are to come from.
The systems in three countries have been quoted as examples, The Netherlands, Denmark and the UK. Will the Maltese government match the financial commitments made by the respective governments to make their systems work? Vague statements are not good enough.
Access to secondary care and to the social services will be only through doctors who agree to participate in the scheme. This is reasonable – to an extent. But what about the patients whose doctor/s do not choose to participate in this new system? Will they be denied what is theirs by right?
We are ready to participate in discussions with the Health Department, as we have been doing all along, for as long as it takes. But does this whole system have to be up and running before we can order more investigations and access results on our patients’ behalf? This would reap immediate benefits. On the other hand, the provision of these facilities, which after all benefit the patient, should not be like carrots dangled in front of private family doctors to entice them to participate. Once the technology is presently available these are the rights of the patients – whoever their doctor is.
Private family doctors will be the linchpins in running the system. If they do not accept it and what it entails, then it will not even take off. However, we are confident that reason will prevail and that no hurried “reforms” would be launched until all the above points, and others, are thrashed out.
Anthony P Azzopardi
President of the Association of Private Family Doctors
4 migrants lose human rights case
Di-Ve
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Court
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67693&newscategory=34
The Constitutional Court, presided over by Mr Justice Tonio Mallia, has thrown out a plea by 4 irregular migrants who said that their detention infringed their human rights.
It noted that some of their complaints – such as potatoes in their food being too white and that they had too little sauce on their food – were too banal to even consider.
“While they have a right to insist that their stay is comfortable, when the Court hears such things, it has to question the seriousness of their complaints,” he said.
Essa Maneh from Gambia, Stephen Anyiam from Nigeria, Emanuel Onyaka Udem from Nigeria and Austin Jimmy from Nigeria filed a case against the Police Commissioner and the Home Affairs Minister asking the Court to order their immediate release.
Mr Maneh and Mr Anyiam arrived in Malta from Libya on the same boat in June 2008 while Mr Udem and Mr Jimmy arrived in September 2008. All 4 were put straight into detention at Hal Safi, where they remain to this day. They applied for refugee status when they arrived.
They said that detention was not necessary, that it was illegal and arbitrary and that it contravened the European Convention on Human Rights which protected the right to liberty.
The defendants noted that detention for a period of 12 months (18 if they do not apply for refugee status) was allowed by the Immigration Act, and that its legality that has already been unsuccessfully challenged in previous cases.
The Court also heard that the migrants were claiming that their fundamental rights had been violated but that they had not been debased or humiliated in any way while in detention.
The Court said the Convention allowed detention “pending the decision on admission, deportation or extradition”, it heard, albeit not indefinitely or for an unreasonable time.
The European Court of Justice established in 1992 that 2 years was “unreasonable” but the Constitutional Court said the national limits were not unreasonable as one had to keep a balance between the individual’s liberty and the need to protect the socio-cultural fabric of the country.
It noted that refugee applications often took so long because the migrants arrived here without any identification and often did not cooperate with the authorities, but felt the government was keeping the right balance between controlling the flood of migrants and offering a deterrent to others who might be thinking of coming here, and their right to liberty.
With regards to their claims of inhuman and debasing treatment, the Court noted that these had not been proved.
“While the situation in the detention centre is not ideal, the irregular migrants in Block B are not being subjected to distress or hardship of an intensity exceeding the unavoidable level of suffering inherent in detention,” it said.
It noted that some of the problems associated with detention stemmed from the fact that the migrants formed tribal groups, with regular acts of vandalism causing damage to their own environment.
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Court
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67693&newscategory=34
The Constitutional Court, presided over by Mr Justice Tonio Mallia, has thrown out a plea by 4 irregular migrants who said that their detention infringed their human rights.
It noted that some of their complaints – such as potatoes in their food being too white and that they had too little sauce on their food – were too banal to even consider.
“While they have a right to insist that their stay is comfortable, when the Court hears such things, it has to question the seriousness of their complaints,” he said.
Essa Maneh from Gambia, Stephen Anyiam from Nigeria, Emanuel Onyaka Udem from Nigeria and Austin Jimmy from Nigeria filed a case against the Police Commissioner and the Home Affairs Minister asking the Court to order their immediate release.
Mr Maneh and Mr Anyiam arrived in Malta from Libya on the same boat in June 2008 while Mr Udem and Mr Jimmy arrived in September 2008. All 4 were put straight into detention at Hal Safi, where they remain to this day. They applied for refugee status when they arrived.
They said that detention was not necessary, that it was illegal and arbitrary and that it contravened the European Convention on Human Rights which protected the right to liberty.
The defendants noted that detention for a period of 12 months (18 if they do not apply for refugee status) was allowed by the Immigration Act, and that its legality that has already been unsuccessfully challenged in previous cases.
The Court also heard that the migrants were claiming that their fundamental rights had been violated but that they had not been debased or humiliated in any way while in detention.
The Court said the Convention allowed detention “pending the decision on admission, deportation or extradition”, it heard, albeit not indefinitely or for an unreasonable time.
The European Court of Justice established in 1992 that 2 years was “unreasonable” but the Constitutional Court said the national limits were not unreasonable as one had to keep a balance between the individual’s liberty and the need to protect the socio-cultural fabric of the country.
It noted that refugee applications often took so long because the migrants arrived here without any identification and often did not cooperate with the authorities, but felt the government was keeping the right balance between controlling the flood of migrants and offering a deterrent to others who might be thinking of coming here, and their right to liberty.
With regards to their claims of inhuman and debasing treatment, the Court noted that these had not been proved.
“While the situation in the detention centre is not ideal, the irregular migrants in Block B are not being subjected to distress or hardship of an intensity exceeding the unavoidable level of suffering inherent in detention,” it said.
It noted that some of the problems associated with detention stemmed from the fact that the migrants formed tribal groups, with regular acts of vandalism causing damage to their own environment.
Worrying statistics which should be heeded
The Malta Independent on line
Editorial
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98858
Malta recently fared well in a statistical exercise conducted by the EU’s Eurostat agency. The injury mortality rate in Malta is 26.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Put into language one will understand, this accounts for 3.9 per cent of all causes of death in Malta.
However, it also came to light that 23 per cent of Malta’s road accident fatalities involve motorcyclists. Even more worrying is that fact that the percentage of accidents involving pedestrians is only slightly lower. Both figures are higher than the European Union average and where motorcyclists are concerned, Malta has the highest rate amongst all participating countries.
Last weekend, there were three deaths and one person is still in a critical condition as a result of a head on collision, while a woman was also run over by a bus.
Out of the three deaths, one woman was on a zebra crossing. The other two were an elderly husband and wife who were killed when a car being driven by an 18-year-old smashed into them in St Paul’s Bay. The person who was involved in the head on collision was a motorcyclist – the pattern is clear.
Something, somewhere is very wrong and it seems to be our roads and the way we use them. It is very evident that this is the case as Malta fared well overall in relation to accidents, but trails far behind in relation to road safety.
This newspaper already published an editorial about the escalating number of victims on our roads – over 20 this year, a record year. But we feel that it is our duty to write about it again as the statistics which were issued back up the arguments we raised in the last one.
We will again reiterate the dangers of allowing an 18-year-old to obtain a licence for a 1.6 litre turbocharged monster. Most drivers with 15 years experience are still apprehensive of driving such high-powered cars. It makes one wonder how we can allow such things to happen. We will ask this question: How can a greenhorn driver, fresh out of lessons and euphoric in passing their test, be trusted with such a vehicle. As we mentioned in our last editorial, they have neither the restraint, skill or experience to handle such vehicles.
It is clear that authorities must really crack down on roadhogs. There are plenty of them and what is clearly needed is a much tougher approach by the police and wardens. Perhaps it is time for more legislation to get tough on people who seem to think that the roads are their own personal race track.
Motorcyclists are another kettle of fish. They are of course vulnerable on the road, they have no protection. But one must also mention the crazy speed freaks that zip in and out of traffic and overtake on blind corners. It is such a waste of life.
We stick to our guns in saying that the law really needs to get tough on people who flout the law, but we will again raise the argument – should young drivers (or motorcyclists) be restricted to a small-cylinder engine? The answer would have to be an emphatic yes. We are not saying that the legal driving age should be raised, but what we are saying is that, perhaps until they turn 25, young motorists should be restricted to a 1.2 litre engine for cars and low cc engine on motorcycles.
Will it be a foolproof system – no. Will it please younger motorists – no. Will it save lives? Yes.
Editorial
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98858
Malta recently fared well in a statistical exercise conducted by the EU’s Eurostat agency. The injury mortality rate in Malta is 26.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Put into language one will understand, this accounts for 3.9 per cent of all causes of death in Malta.
However, it also came to light that 23 per cent of Malta’s road accident fatalities involve motorcyclists. Even more worrying is that fact that the percentage of accidents involving pedestrians is only slightly lower. Both figures are higher than the European Union average and where motorcyclists are concerned, Malta has the highest rate amongst all participating countries.
Last weekend, there were three deaths and one person is still in a critical condition as a result of a head on collision, while a woman was also run over by a bus.
Out of the three deaths, one woman was on a zebra crossing. The other two were an elderly husband and wife who were killed when a car being driven by an 18-year-old smashed into them in St Paul’s Bay. The person who was involved in the head on collision was a motorcyclist – the pattern is clear.
Something, somewhere is very wrong and it seems to be our roads and the way we use them. It is very evident that this is the case as Malta fared well overall in relation to accidents, but trails far behind in relation to road safety.
This newspaper already published an editorial about the escalating number of victims on our roads – over 20 this year, a record year. But we feel that it is our duty to write about it again as the statistics which were issued back up the arguments we raised in the last one.
We will again reiterate the dangers of allowing an 18-year-old to obtain a licence for a 1.6 litre turbocharged monster. Most drivers with 15 years experience are still apprehensive of driving such high-powered cars. It makes one wonder how we can allow such things to happen. We will ask this question: How can a greenhorn driver, fresh out of lessons and euphoric in passing their test, be trusted with such a vehicle. As we mentioned in our last editorial, they have neither the restraint, skill or experience to handle such vehicles.
It is clear that authorities must really crack down on roadhogs. There are plenty of them and what is clearly needed is a much tougher approach by the police and wardens. Perhaps it is time for more legislation to get tough on people who seem to think that the roads are their own personal race track.
Motorcyclists are another kettle of fish. They are of course vulnerable on the road, they have no protection. But one must also mention the crazy speed freaks that zip in and out of traffic and overtake on blind corners. It is such a waste of life.
We stick to our guns in saying that the law really needs to get tough on people who flout the law, but we will again raise the argument – should young drivers (or motorcyclists) be restricted to a small-cylinder engine? The answer would have to be an emphatic yes. We are not saying that the legal driving age should be raised, but what we are saying is that, perhaps until they turn 25, young motorists should be restricted to a 1.2 litre engine for cars and low cc engine on motorcycles.
Will it be a foolproof system – no. Will it please younger motorists – no. Will it save lives? Yes.
Doll wrapped in rags laid in empty manager
The Malta Independent on line
by Elaine Attard
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98851
Someone could not stand the sight of the empty manger in the crib put up at Marsaskala playing field, so an old doll wrapped in rags was put in to fill the space.
It was not exactly what the local council had in mind, but the thought behind the gesture was not outrageous – the baby Jesus did not have rich trappings for swaddling clothes, after all.
The manger had no occupant, when the doll was put in, for a reason – the life size model of the baby Jesus had been stolen.
The crib, made of recycled materials, was constructed by Joseph Barbara and was to be inaugurated on Friday. That is when the theft occurred. Mr Barbara provided another baby Jesus by the afternoon just before the inauguration.
After the inauguration, Marsaskala mayor Mario Calleja took the new baby Jesus away, to store it at the local council’s offices and prevent it from being stolen again. The plan was to put it back in the manger on Christmas Eve.
Then came the very resourceful unknown individual who felt the manger couldn’t be left empty during advent, and laid the old doll wrapped in sacks.
“Both the doll and the sacks were probably going to be thrown away, so they really blend with the theme of the crib made from recyclable material. We are really happy that Marsaskala residents took this initiative because it shows that our campaign to encourage people to reduce, reuse and recycle is working,” said the mayor.
As a footnote: a plastic model of baby Jesus was stolen earlier this week from a crib put up on the central strip on Manuel Dimech Bridge.
by Elaine Attard
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98851
Someone could not stand the sight of the empty manger in the crib put up at Marsaskala playing field, so an old doll wrapped in rags was put in to fill the space.
It was not exactly what the local council had in mind, but the thought behind the gesture was not outrageous – the baby Jesus did not have rich trappings for swaddling clothes, after all.
The manger had no occupant, when the doll was put in, for a reason – the life size model of the baby Jesus had been stolen.
The crib, made of recycled materials, was constructed by Joseph Barbara and was to be inaugurated on Friday. That is when the theft occurred. Mr Barbara provided another baby Jesus by the afternoon just before the inauguration.
After the inauguration, Marsaskala mayor Mario Calleja took the new baby Jesus away, to store it at the local council’s offices and prevent it from being stolen again. The plan was to put it back in the manger on Christmas Eve.
Then came the very resourceful unknown individual who felt the manger couldn’t be left empty during advent, and laid the old doll wrapped in sacks.
“Both the doll and the sacks were probably going to be thrown away, so they really blend with the theme of the crib made from recyclable material. We are really happy that Marsaskala residents took this initiative because it shows that our campaign to encourage people to reduce, reuse and recycle is working,” said the mayor.
As a footnote: a plastic model of baby Jesus was stolen earlier this week from a crib put up on the central strip on Manuel Dimech Bridge.
PL concerned at 7,521 jobless figure
The Malta Independent on line
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98850
Labour Party deputy leader Anglu Farrugia, party spokesman for parliamentary affairs, said the National Office of Statistics is confirming the disquieting situation in the employment sector – the number of gainfully employed persons has gone down by 1,700 and the number of registered unemployed is now 7,521.
The Labour Party, he added, is concerned that the number of full-time employed persons has declined by more than 10 per cent, with the tourism sector registering the worst performance.
At the same time there has been an increase in the number of persons whose only income is from part-time work. With this situation staring him in the face, Lawrence Gonzi has again raised the energy tariffs and introduced a drainage tax, Dr Farrugia said.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98850
Labour Party deputy leader Anglu Farrugia, party spokesman for parliamentary affairs, said the National Office of Statistics is confirming the disquieting situation in the employment sector – the number of gainfully employed persons has gone down by 1,700 and the number of registered unemployed is now 7,521.
The Labour Party, he added, is concerned that the number of full-time employed persons has declined by more than 10 per cent, with the tourism sector registering the worst performance.
At the same time there has been an increase in the number of persons whose only income is from part-time work. With this situation staring him in the face, Lawrence Gonzi has again raised the energy tariffs and introduced a drainage tax, Dr Farrugia said.
Unemployment stands at 7,521
Independent on line
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98849
The full-time gainfully occupied population in July totalled 144,960, down by 1,747 when compared to the previous year. Unemployment stands at 7,521.
In July 2009, the administrative records of the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) showed a drop of 1,747 persons in the full-time gainfully occupied population when compared to the corresponding month in 2008. Concurrently, the number of registered unemployed increased by 1,563, to 7,521.
Full-time Employment
In the 12 months to July, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in manufacturing fell by 2,377 (10.3 per cent). This decline in manufacturing comprised 1,695 men and 682 women. Likewise, the full-time gainfully occupied persons in hotels and restaurants dropped by 602 (5.7 per cent). This reduction in jobs in hotels and restaurants affected 320 men and 282 women. There was also a drop of 163 full-time gainfully occupied persons in electricity, gas and water supply (5.4 per cent). This balance was the result of a decrease of 184 men and an increase of 21 women.
Contrarily, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in real estate, renting and business activities went up by 788 (5.8 per cent) to 14,471. This expansion, which effectively involved computer and related activities and other business activities, led to an increase of 473 men and 315 women. This branch of the economy includes, among other activities, software consultancy and supply, accounting and auditing activities, tax consultancy, labour recruitment agencies, investigation and security activities and industrial cleaning. Further growth in full-time employment occurred in community, social and personal service activities (+321 persons) or 4.3 per cent and health and social work (+228 persons) or 2.3 per cent.
Overall, between July 2008 and July 2009, there was a decrease of 1,418 (3.4 per cent) full-time jobs in the public sector, and another drop of 329 (0.3 per cent) full-time jobs in the private sector.
Part-time Employment
Meanwhile, the number of registered part-time jobs for the month under review totalled 50,632, an increase of 1,774 with respect to the corresponding month last year.
In the 12 months to July, the main increase in part-time employment took place in education (+604 persons) and wholesale and retail trade (+405 persons).
The increase in part-time jobs in education comprised 266 persons whose part-time job was their primary occupation. The respective increase for the wholesale and retail trade sector was 288.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98849
The full-time gainfully occupied population in July totalled 144,960, down by 1,747 when compared to the previous year. Unemployment stands at 7,521.
In July 2009, the administrative records of the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) showed a drop of 1,747 persons in the full-time gainfully occupied population when compared to the corresponding month in 2008. Concurrently, the number of registered unemployed increased by 1,563, to 7,521.
Full-time Employment
In the 12 months to July, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in manufacturing fell by 2,377 (10.3 per cent). This decline in manufacturing comprised 1,695 men and 682 women. Likewise, the full-time gainfully occupied persons in hotels and restaurants dropped by 602 (5.7 per cent). This reduction in jobs in hotels and restaurants affected 320 men and 282 women. There was also a drop of 163 full-time gainfully occupied persons in electricity, gas and water supply (5.4 per cent). This balance was the result of a decrease of 184 men and an increase of 21 women.
Contrarily, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in real estate, renting and business activities went up by 788 (5.8 per cent) to 14,471. This expansion, which effectively involved computer and related activities and other business activities, led to an increase of 473 men and 315 women. This branch of the economy includes, among other activities, software consultancy and supply, accounting and auditing activities, tax consultancy, labour recruitment agencies, investigation and security activities and industrial cleaning. Further growth in full-time employment occurred in community, social and personal service activities (+321 persons) or 4.3 per cent and health and social work (+228 persons) or 2.3 per cent.
Overall, between July 2008 and July 2009, there was a decrease of 1,418 (3.4 per cent) full-time jobs in the public sector, and another drop of 329 (0.3 per cent) full-time jobs in the private sector.
Part-time Employment
Meanwhile, the number of registered part-time jobs for the month under review totalled 50,632, an increase of 1,774 with respect to the corresponding month last year.
In the 12 months to July, the main increase in part-time employment took place in education (+604 persons) and wholesale and retail trade (+405 persons).
The increase in part-time jobs in education comprised 266 persons whose part-time job was their primary occupation. The respective increase for the wholesale and retail trade sector was 288.
Foreign citizens in Malta half the EU average
The Malta Independent on line
by Noel Grima
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98847
Foreign citizens accounted for 6.2 per cent of the total EU27 population, figures revealed by Eurostat yesterday show.
On 1 January 2008, 30.8 million foreign citizens lived in the EU27 Member States, of which 11.3 million were citizens of another EU27 Member state. The remaining 19.5 million were citizens of countries outside the EU27, of which 6.0 million were citizens of other European countries, 4.7 million of Africa, 3.7 million of Asia and 3.2 million of the American continent.
But the same figures also reveal that Malta has only 3.8 per cent of its population that are foreign. This amounts to 15,000 persons of whom 8,000 are members of another EU member state and 7,000 come from outside the EU.
In 2008, the largest numbers of foreign citizens were recorded in Germany (7.3 million persons), Spain (5.3 million), the United Kingdom (4.0 million), France (3.7 million) and Italy (3.4 million). More than 75 per cent of the foreign citizens in the EU27 lived in these Member States.
Among the EU27 Member States, the highest percentage of foreign citizens in the population was found in Luxembourg (43 per cent of the total population), followed by Latvia (18 per cent), Estonia (17 per cent), Cyprus (16 per cent), Ireland (13 per cent), Spain (12 per cent) and Austria (10 per cent). The percentage of foreign citizens was less than 1 per cent in Romania, Poland, Bulgaria and Slovakia.
In 2008, 37 per cent of the foreign citizens living in the EU27 were citizens of another EU27 Member state. The largest groups were from Romania (1.7 million or 15 per cent of the total number of foreign citizens from another EU Member State), Italy (1.3 million or 11 per cent) and Poland (1.2 million or 11 per cent).
Among the citizens of countries outside the EU27, the largest groups were from Turkey (2.4 million or 12 per cent of the total number of foreign citizens from countries outside the EU27), Morocco (1.7 million or 9 per cent) and Albania (1.0 million or 5 per cent).
The origin of the population of foreign citizens varied greatly between Member States. In six Member States, the largest single group of foreign citizens accounted for more than 30 per cent of the total foreign population.
The Member States with the highest percentage of foreign citizens from one single country were Greece (64 per cent of foreign citizens were from Albania), Slovenia (47 per cent from Bosnia and Herzegovina), Hungary (37 per cent from Romania) and Luxembourg (37 per cent from Portugal). In Latvia, 90 per cent of the population of foreign citizens were recognised non-citizens
In Malta’s case, the largest amount of foreign citizens come from the UK: 4,100 persons or 26.5 per cent of all foreign citizens, followed by 900 persons from India (6 per cent) and 800 persons from Serbia (5.6 per cent).
Independent on line
17th December 2009
Unemployment stands at 7,521
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98849
The full-time gainfully occupied population in July totalled 144,960, down by 1,747 when compared to the previous year. Unemployment stands at 7,521.
In July 2009, the administrative records of the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) showed a drop of 1,747 persons in the full-time gainfully occupied population when compared to the corresponding month in 2008. Concurrently, the number of registered unemployed increased by 1,563, to 7,521.
Full-time Employment
In the 12 months to July, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in manufacturing fell by 2,377 (10.3 per cent). This decline in manufacturing comprised 1,695 men and 682 women. Likewise, the full-time gainfully occupied persons in hotels and restaurants dropped by 602 (5.7 per cent). This reduction in jobs in hotels and restaurants affected 320 men and 282 women. There was also a drop of 163 full-time gainfully occupied persons in electricity, gas and water supply (5.4 per cent). This balance was the result of a decrease of 184 men and an increase of 21 women.
Contrarily, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in real estate, renting and business activities went up by 788 (5.8 per cent) to 14,471. This expansion, which effectively involved computer and related activities and other business activities, led to an increase of 473 men and 315 women. This branch of the economy includes, among other activities, software consultancy and supply, accounting and auditing activities, tax consultancy, labour recruitment agencies, investigation and security activities and industrial cleaning. Further growth in full-time employment occurred in community, social and personal service activities (+321 persons) or 4.3 per cent and health and social work (+228 persons) or 2.3 per cent.
Overall, between July 2008 and July 2009, there was a decrease of 1,418 (3.4 per cent) full-time jobs in the public sector, and another drop of 329 (0.3 per cent) full-time jobs in the private sector.
Part-time Employment
Meanwhile, the number of registered part-time jobs for the month under review totalled 50,632, an increase of 1,774 with respect to the corresponding month last year.
In the 12 months to July, the main increase in part-time employment took place in education (+604 persons) and wholesale and retail trade (+405 persons).
The increase in part-time jobs in education comprised 266 persons whose part-time job was their primary occupation. The respective increase for the wholesale and retail trade sector was 288.
Independent on line
17th December 2009
PL concerned at 7,521 jobless figure
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98850
Labour Party deputy leader Anglu Farrugia, party spokesman for parliamentary affairs, said the National Office of Statistics is confirming the disquieting situation in the employment sector – the number of gainfully employed persons has gone down by 1,700 and the number of registered unemployed is now 7,521.
The Labour Party, he added, is concerned that the number of full-time employed persons has declined by more than 10 per cent, with the tourism sector registering the worst performance.
At the same time there has been an increase in the number of persons whose only income is from part-time work. With this situation staring him in the face, Lawrence Gonzi has again raised the energy tariffs and introduced a drainage tax, Dr Farrugia said.
Independent on line
17th December 2009
Doll wrapped in rags laid in empty manger
by Elaine Attard
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98851
Someone could not stand the sight of the empty manger in the crib put up at Marsaskala playing field, so an old doll wrapped in rags was put in to fill the space.
It was not exactly what the local council had in mind, but the thought behind the gesture was not outrageous – the baby Jesus did not have rich trappings for swaddling clothes, after all.
The manger had no occupant, when the doll was put in, for a reason – the life size model of the baby Jesus had been stolen.
The crib, made of recycled materials, was constructed by Joseph Barbara and was to be inaugurated on Friday. That is when the theft occurred. Mr Barbara provided another baby Jesus by the afternoon just before the inauguration.
After the inauguration, Marsaskala mayor Mario Calleja took the new baby Jesus away, to store it at the local council’s offices and prevent it from being stolen again. The plan was to put it back in the manger on Christmas Eve.
Then came the very resourceful unknown individual who felt the manger couldn’t be left empty during advent, and laid the old doll wrapped in sacks.
“Both the doll and the sacks were probably going to be thrown away, so they really blend with the theme of the crib made from recyclable material. We are really happy that Marsaskala residents took this initiative because it shows that our campaign to encourage people to reduce, reuse and recycle is working,” said the mayor.
As a footnote: a plastic model of baby Jesus was stolen earlier this week from a crib put up on the central strip on Manuel Dimech Bridge.
Independent on line
17th December 2009
Worrying statistics which should be heeded
Editorial
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98858
Malta recently fared well in a statistical exercise conducted by the EU’s Eurostat agency. The injury mortality rate in Malta is 26.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Put into language one will understand, this accounts for 3.9 per cent of all causes of death in Malta.
However, it also came to light that 23 per cent of Malta’s road accident fatalities involve motorcyclists. Even more worrying is that fact that the percentage of accidents involving pedestrians is only slightly lower. Both figures are higher than the European Union average and where motorcyclists are concerned, Malta has the highest rate amongst all participating countries.
Last weekend, there were three deaths and one person is still in a critical condition as a result of a head on collision, while a woman was also run over by a bus.
Out of the three deaths, one woman was on a zebra crossing. The other two were an elderly husband and wife who were killed when a car being driven by an 18-year-old smashed into them in St Paul’s Bay. The person who was involved in the head on collision was a motorcyclist – the pattern is clear.
Something, somewhere is very wrong and it seems to be our roads and the way we use them. It is very evident that this is the case as Malta fared well overall in relation to accidents, but trails far behind in relation to road safety.
This newspaper already published an editorial about the escalating number of victims on our roads – over 20 this year, a record year. But we feel that it is our duty to write about it again as the statistics which were issued back up the arguments we raised in the last one.
We will again reiterate the dangers of allowing an 18-year-old to obtain a licence for a 1.6 litre turbocharged monster. Most drivers with 15 years experience are still apprehensive of driving such high-powered cars. It makes one wonder how we can allow such things to happen. We will ask this question: How can a greenhorn driver, fresh out of lessons and euphoric in passing their test, be trusted with such a vehicle. As we mentioned in our last editorial, they have neither the restraint, skill or experience to handle such vehicles.
It is clear that authorities must really crack down on roadhogs. There are plenty of them and what is clearly needed is a much tougher approach by the police and wardens. Perhaps it is time for more legislation to get tough on people who seem to think that the roads are their own personal race track.
Motorcyclists are another kettle of fish. They are of course vulnerable on the road, they have no protection. But one must also mention the crazy speed freaks that zip in and out of traffic and overtake on blind corners. It is such a waste of life.
We stick to our guns in saying that the law really needs to get tough on people who flout the law, but we will again raise the argument – should young drivers (or motorcyclists) be restricted to a small-cylinder engine? The answer would have to be an emphatic yes. We are not saying that the legal driving age should be raised, but what we are saying is that, perhaps until they turn 25, young motorists should be restricted to a 1.2 litre engine for cars and low cc engine on motorcycles.
Will it be a foolproof system – no. Will it please younger motorists – no. Will it save lives? Yes.
Independent on line
17th December 2009
Primary care in Malta
by Anthony P Azzopardi
Letters
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98860
At present the Primary Care system in Malta is run by two systems: The polyclinic (health centre) system, which is free at the point of delivery, and the private family doctor service (against payment).
The former is undermanned to the extent that some health centres have to close in the evenings and at night. The service provided by the medical professionals at these health centres is episodic in that it provides no continuity of care since frequently the doctor has to refer patients to secondary care (i.e. to Accident and Emergency or to consultants in hospital). The setup at health centres cannot guarantee that he/she will follow-up a particular patient.
However health centre doctors have access to several facilities which are still being denied to private family doctors. Family doctors working only in private practice cannot order several blood tests such as specific tests for diabetes (the “national” disease), for thyroid malfunction or to screen for cancer of the prostate. Unlike their colleagues working at health centres, they are unable to view results of X-rays, CT scans or blood tests results online. Thus, they too have to frequently refer patients to secondary care just to obtain these tests or the results thereof.
This “unnecessary” referral to secondary care is an added burden on government health expenditure. The government has just issued the “costs” of visits/appointments and procedures carried out at Mater Dei Hospital. An Accident and Emergency consultation costs e46.59, whilst an outpatient consultation costs e34.94. Add to this the loss of time (and the value of this loss of time) to the patient and to whoever accompanies him for the several times required to finally get the result. One must then multiply the resultant sum by the number of patients who need not have accessed secondary care in the first place.
The Reform in Primary Care announced recently addresses these issues.
So is the reform a cost-cutting exercise? Of course it is!
In all fairness however, this is not the only aim of the reform, which has long been overdue. For one thing it should reduce hospital waiting lists, which would leave more time for consultants to attend to other cases that really require hospital consultant care.
We welcome the commitment by government to reform this important sector. However, there are issues which will need to be discussed, elaborated and possibly amended. We make it clear that we are apolitical.
Government has been so clear in those aspects which relate to its part: Registration for everybody is compulsory. An 24/7/365 cover is envisaged. Group practices are to be set up; quality assurance will be mandatory. Clinical audits and practice accreditation will be required.
It is not at all clear how these responsibilities, all extra to the present family doctor’s set-ups, will be financed and managed by the doctors. We are not sure how clear government is either.
Nothing is free. In the consultation document there is no mention of where the substantial funds required to set up practices, employ staff and to improve facilities are to come from.
The systems in three countries have been quoted as examples, The Netherlands, Denmark and the UK. Will the Maltese government match the financial commitments made by the respective governments to make their systems work? Vague statements are not good enough.
Access to secondary care and to the social services will be only through doctors who agree to participate in the scheme. This is reasonable – to an extent. But what about the patients whose doctor/s do not choose to participate in this new system? Will they be denied what is theirs by right?
We are ready to participate in discussions with the Health Department, as we have been doing all along, for as long as it takes. But does this whole system have to be up and running before we can order more investigations and access results on our patients’ behalf? This would reap immediate benefits. On the other hand, the provision of these facilities, which after all benefit the patient, should not be like carrots dangled in front of private family doctors to entice them to participate. Once the technology is presently available these are the rights of the patients – whoever their doctor is.
Private family doctors will be the linchpins in running the system. If they do not accept it and what it entails, then it will not even take off. However, we are confident that reason will prevail and that no hurried “reforms” would be launched until all the above points, and others, are thrashed out.
Anthony P Azzopardi
President of the Association of Private Family Doctors
Di-Ve
17th December 2009
4 migrants lose human rights case
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Court
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67693&newscategory=34
The Constitutional Court, presided over by Mr Justice Tonio Mallia, has thrown out a plea by 4 irregular migrants who said that their detention infringed their human rights.
It noted that some of their complaints – such as potatoes in their food being too white and that they had too little sauce on their food – were too banal to even consider.
“While they have a right to insist that their stay is comfortable, when the Court hears such things, it has to question the seriousness of their complaints,” he said.
Essa Maneh from Gambia, Stephen Anyiam from Nigeria, Emanuel Onyaka Udem from Nigeria and Austin Jimmy from Nigeria filed a case against the Police Commissioner and the Home Affairs Minister asking the Court to order their immediate release.
Mr Maneh and Mr Anyiam arrived in Malta from Libya on the same boat in June 2008 while Mr Udem and Mr Jimmy arrived in September 2008. All 4 were put straight into detention at Hal Safi, where they remain to this day. They applied for refugee status when they arrived.
They said that detention was not necessary, that it was illegal and arbitrary and that it contravened the European Convention on Human Rights which protected the right to liberty.
The defendants noted that detention for a period of 12 months (18 if they do not apply for refugee status) was allowed by the Immigration Act, and that its legality that has already been unsuccessfully challenged in previous cases.
The Court also heard that the migrants were claiming that their fundamental rights had been violated but that they had not been debased or humiliated in any way while in detention.
The Court said the Convention allowed detention “pending the decision on admission, deportation or extradition”, it heard, albeit not indefinitely or for an unreasonable time.
The European Court of Justice established in 1992 that 2 years was “unreasonable” but the Constitutional Court said the national limits were not unreasonable as one had to keep a balance between the individual’s liberty and the need to protect the socio-cultural fabric of the country.
It noted that refugee applications often took so long because the migrants arrived here without any identification and often did not cooperate with the authorities, but felt the government was keeping the right balance between controlling the flood of migrants and offering a deterrent to others who might be thinking of coming here, and their right to liberty.
With regards to their claims of inhuman and debasing treatment, the Court noted that these had not been proved.
“While the situation in the detention centre is not ideal, the irregular migrants in Block B are not being subjected to distress or hardship of an intensity exceeding the unavoidable level of suffering inherent in detention,” it said.
It noted that some of the problems associated with detention stemmed from the fact that the migrants formed tribal groups, with regular acts of vandalism causing damage to their own environment.
Reply Forward
by Noel Grima
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98847
Foreign citizens accounted for 6.2 per cent of the total EU27 population, figures revealed by Eurostat yesterday show.
On 1 January 2008, 30.8 million foreign citizens lived in the EU27 Member States, of which 11.3 million were citizens of another EU27 Member state. The remaining 19.5 million were citizens of countries outside the EU27, of which 6.0 million were citizens of other European countries, 4.7 million of Africa, 3.7 million of Asia and 3.2 million of the American continent.
But the same figures also reveal that Malta has only 3.8 per cent of its population that are foreign. This amounts to 15,000 persons of whom 8,000 are members of another EU member state and 7,000 come from outside the EU.
In 2008, the largest numbers of foreign citizens were recorded in Germany (7.3 million persons), Spain (5.3 million), the United Kingdom (4.0 million), France (3.7 million) and Italy (3.4 million). More than 75 per cent of the foreign citizens in the EU27 lived in these Member States.
Among the EU27 Member States, the highest percentage of foreign citizens in the population was found in Luxembourg (43 per cent of the total population), followed by Latvia (18 per cent), Estonia (17 per cent), Cyprus (16 per cent), Ireland (13 per cent), Spain (12 per cent) and Austria (10 per cent). The percentage of foreign citizens was less than 1 per cent in Romania, Poland, Bulgaria and Slovakia.
In 2008, 37 per cent of the foreign citizens living in the EU27 were citizens of another EU27 Member state. The largest groups were from Romania (1.7 million or 15 per cent of the total number of foreign citizens from another EU Member State), Italy (1.3 million or 11 per cent) and Poland (1.2 million or 11 per cent).
Among the citizens of countries outside the EU27, the largest groups were from Turkey (2.4 million or 12 per cent of the total number of foreign citizens from countries outside the EU27), Morocco (1.7 million or 9 per cent) and Albania (1.0 million or 5 per cent).
The origin of the population of foreign citizens varied greatly between Member States. In six Member States, the largest single group of foreign citizens accounted for more than 30 per cent of the total foreign population.
The Member States with the highest percentage of foreign citizens from one single country were Greece (64 per cent of foreign citizens were from Albania), Slovenia (47 per cent from Bosnia and Herzegovina), Hungary (37 per cent from Romania) and Luxembourg (37 per cent from Portugal). In Latvia, 90 per cent of the population of foreign citizens were recognised non-citizens
In Malta’s case, the largest amount of foreign citizens come from the UK: 4,100 persons or 26.5 per cent of all foreign citizens, followed by 900 persons from India (6 per cent) and 800 persons from Serbia (5.6 per cent).
Independent on line
17th December 2009
Unemployment stands at 7,521
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98849
The full-time gainfully occupied population in July totalled 144,960, down by 1,747 when compared to the previous year. Unemployment stands at 7,521.
In July 2009, the administrative records of the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) showed a drop of 1,747 persons in the full-time gainfully occupied population when compared to the corresponding month in 2008. Concurrently, the number of registered unemployed increased by 1,563, to 7,521.
Full-time Employment
In the 12 months to July, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in manufacturing fell by 2,377 (10.3 per cent). This decline in manufacturing comprised 1,695 men and 682 women. Likewise, the full-time gainfully occupied persons in hotels and restaurants dropped by 602 (5.7 per cent). This reduction in jobs in hotels and restaurants affected 320 men and 282 women. There was also a drop of 163 full-time gainfully occupied persons in electricity, gas and water supply (5.4 per cent). This balance was the result of a decrease of 184 men and an increase of 21 women.
Contrarily, the number of full-time gainfully occupied persons in real estate, renting and business activities went up by 788 (5.8 per cent) to 14,471. This expansion, which effectively involved computer and related activities and other business activities, led to an increase of 473 men and 315 women. This branch of the economy includes, among other activities, software consultancy and supply, accounting and auditing activities, tax consultancy, labour recruitment agencies, investigation and security activities and industrial cleaning. Further growth in full-time employment occurred in community, social and personal service activities (+321 persons) or 4.3 per cent and health and social work (+228 persons) or 2.3 per cent.
Overall, between July 2008 and July 2009, there was a decrease of 1,418 (3.4 per cent) full-time jobs in the public sector, and another drop of 329 (0.3 per cent) full-time jobs in the private sector.
Part-time Employment
Meanwhile, the number of registered part-time jobs for the month under review totalled 50,632, an increase of 1,774 with respect to the corresponding month last year.
In the 12 months to July, the main increase in part-time employment took place in education (+604 persons) and wholesale and retail trade (+405 persons).
The increase in part-time jobs in education comprised 266 persons whose part-time job was their primary occupation. The respective increase for the wholesale and retail trade sector was 288.
Independent on line
17th December 2009
PL concerned at 7,521 jobless figure
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98850
Labour Party deputy leader Anglu Farrugia, party spokesman for parliamentary affairs, said the National Office of Statistics is confirming the disquieting situation in the employment sector – the number of gainfully employed persons has gone down by 1,700 and the number of registered unemployed is now 7,521.
The Labour Party, he added, is concerned that the number of full-time employed persons has declined by more than 10 per cent, with the tourism sector registering the worst performance.
At the same time there has been an increase in the number of persons whose only income is from part-time work. With this situation staring him in the face, Lawrence Gonzi has again raised the energy tariffs and introduced a drainage tax, Dr Farrugia said.
Independent on line
17th December 2009
Doll wrapped in rags laid in empty manger
by Elaine Attard
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98851
Someone could not stand the sight of the empty manger in the crib put up at Marsaskala playing field, so an old doll wrapped in rags was put in to fill the space.
It was not exactly what the local council had in mind, but the thought behind the gesture was not outrageous – the baby Jesus did not have rich trappings for swaddling clothes, after all.
The manger had no occupant, when the doll was put in, for a reason – the life size model of the baby Jesus had been stolen.
The crib, made of recycled materials, was constructed by Joseph Barbara and was to be inaugurated on Friday. That is when the theft occurred. Mr Barbara provided another baby Jesus by the afternoon just before the inauguration.
After the inauguration, Marsaskala mayor Mario Calleja took the new baby Jesus away, to store it at the local council’s offices and prevent it from being stolen again. The plan was to put it back in the manger on Christmas Eve.
Then came the very resourceful unknown individual who felt the manger couldn’t be left empty during advent, and laid the old doll wrapped in sacks.
“Both the doll and the sacks were probably going to be thrown away, so they really blend with the theme of the crib made from recyclable material. We are really happy that Marsaskala residents took this initiative because it shows that our campaign to encourage people to reduce, reuse and recycle is working,” said the mayor.
As a footnote: a plastic model of baby Jesus was stolen earlier this week from a crib put up on the central strip on Manuel Dimech Bridge.
Independent on line
17th December 2009
Worrying statistics which should be heeded
Editorial
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98858
Malta recently fared well in a statistical exercise conducted by the EU’s Eurostat agency. The injury mortality rate in Malta is 26.9 per 100,000 inhabitants. Put into language one will understand, this accounts for 3.9 per cent of all causes of death in Malta.
However, it also came to light that 23 per cent of Malta’s road accident fatalities involve motorcyclists. Even more worrying is that fact that the percentage of accidents involving pedestrians is only slightly lower. Both figures are higher than the European Union average and where motorcyclists are concerned, Malta has the highest rate amongst all participating countries.
Last weekend, there were three deaths and one person is still in a critical condition as a result of a head on collision, while a woman was also run over by a bus.
Out of the three deaths, one woman was on a zebra crossing. The other two were an elderly husband and wife who were killed when a car being driven by an 18-year-old smashed into them in St Paul’s Bay. The person who was involved in the head on collision was a motorcyclist – the pattern is clear.
Something, somewhere is very wrong and it seems to be our roads and the way we use them. It is very evident that this is the case as Malta fared well overall in relation to accidents, but trails far behind in relation to road safety.
This newspaper already published an editorial about the escalating number of victims on our roads – over 20 this year, a record year. But we feel that it is our duty to write about it again as the statistics which were issued back up the arguments we raised in the last one.
We will again reiterate the dangers of allowing an 18-year-old to obtain a licence for a 1.6 litre turbocharged monster. Most drivers with 15 years experience are still apprehensive of driving such high-powered cars. It makes one wonder how we can allow such things to happen. We will ask this question: How can a greenhorn driver, fresh out of lessons and euphoric in passing their test, be trusted with such a vehicle. As we mentioned in our last editorial, they have neither the restraint, skill or experience to handle such vehicles.
It is clear that authorities must really crack down on roadhogs. There are plenty of them and what is clearly needed is a much tougher approach by the police and wardens. Perhaps it is time for more legislation to get tough on people who seem to think that the roads are their own personal race track.
Motorcyclists are another kettle of fish. They are of course vulnerable on the road, they have no protection. But one must also mention the crazy speed freaks that zip in and out of traffic and overtake on blind corners. It is such a waste of life.
We stick to our guns in saying that the law really needs to get tough on people who flout the law, but we will again raise the argument – should young drivers (or motorcyclists) be restricted to a small-cylinder engine? The answer would have to be an emphatic yes. We are not saying that the legal driving age should be raised, but what we are saying is that, perhaps until they turn 25, young motorists should be restricted to a 1.2 litre engine for cars and low cc engine on motorcycles.
Will it be a foolproof system – no. Will it please younger motorists – no. Will it save lives? Yes.
Independent on line
17th December 2009
Primary care in Malta
by Anthony P Azzopardi
Letters
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98860
At present the Primary Care system in Malta is run by two systems: The polyclinic (health centre) system, which is free at the point of delivery, and the private family doctor service (against payment).
The former is undermanned to the extent that some health centres have to close in the evenings and at night. The service provided by the medical professionals at these health centres is episodic in that it provides no continuity of care since frequently the doctor has to refer patients to secondary care (i.e. to Accident and Emergency or to consultants in hospital). The setup at health centres cannot guarantee that he/she will follow-up a particular patient.
However health centre doctors have access to several facilities which are still being denied to private family doctors. Family doctors working only in private practice cannot order several blood tests such as specific tests for diabetes (the “national” disease), for thyroid malfunction or to screen for cancer of the prostate. Unlike their colleagues working at health centres, they are unable to view results of X-rays, CT scans or blood tests results online. Thus, they too have to frequently refer patients to secondary care just to obtain these tests or the results thereof.
This “unnecessary” referral to secondary care is an added burden on government health expenditure. The government has just issued the “costs” of visits/appointments and procedures carried out at Mater Dei Hospital. An Accident and Emergency consultation costs e46.59, whilst an outpatient consultation costs e34.94. Add to this the loss of time (and the value of this loss of time) to the patient and to whoever accompanies him for the several times required to finally get the result. One must then multiply the resultant sum by the number of patients who need not have accessed secondary care in the first place.
The Reform in Primary Care announced recently addresses these issues.
So is the reform a cost-cutting exercise? Of course it is!
In all fairness however, this is not the only aim of the reform, which has long been overdue. For one thing it should reduce hospital waiting lists, which would leave more time for consultants to attend to other cases that really require hospital consultant care.
We welcome the commitment by government to reform this important sector. However, there are issues which will need to be discussed, elaborated and possibly amended. We make it clear that we are apolitical.
Government has been so clear in those aspects which relate to its part: Registration for everybody is compulsory. An 24/7/365 cover is envisaged. Group practices are to be set up; quality assurance will be mandatory. Clinical audits and practice accreditation will be required.
It is not at all clear how these responsibilities, all extra to the present family doctor’s set-ups, will be financed and managed by the doctors. We are not sure how clear government is either.
Nothing is free. In the consultation document there is no mention of where the substantial funds required to set up practices, employ staff and to improve facilities are to come from.
The systems in three countries have been quoted as examples, The Netherlands, Denmark and the UK. Will the Maltese government match the financial commitments made by the respective governments to make their systems work? Vague statements are not good enough.
Access to secondary care and to the social services will be only through doctors who agree to participate in the scheme. This is reasonable – to an extent. But what about the patients whose doctor/s do not choose to participate in this new system? Will they be denied what is theirs by right?
We are ready to participate in discussions with the Health Department, as we have been doing all along, for as long as it takes. But does this whole system have to be up and running before we can order more investigations and access results on our patients’ behalf? This would reap immediate benefits. On the other hand, the provision of these facilities, which after all benefit the patient, should not be like carrots dangled in front of private family doctors to entice them to participate. Once the technology is presently available these are the rights of the patients – whoever their doctor is.
Private family doctors will be the linchpins in running the system. If they do not accept it and what it entails, then it will not even take off. However, we are confident that reason will prevail and that no hurried “reforms” would be launched until all the above points, and others, are thrashed out.
Anthony P Azzopardi
President of the Association of Private Family Doctors
Di-Ve
17th December 2009
4 migrants lose human rights case
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Court
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67693&newscategory=34
The Constitutional Court, presided over by Mr Justice Tonio Mallia, has thrown out a plea by 4 irregular migrants who said that their detention infringed their human rights.
It noted that some of their complaints – such as potatoes in their food being too white and that they had too little sauce on their food – were too banal to even consider.
“While they have a right to insist that their stay is comfortable, when the Court hears such things, it has to question the seriousness of their complaints,” he said.
Essa Maneh from Gambia, Stephen Anyiam from Nigeria, Emanuel Onyaka Udem from Nigeria and Austin Jimmy from Nigeria filed a case against the Police Commissioner and the Home Affairs Minister asking the Court to order their immediate release.
Mr Maneh and Mr Anyiam arrived in Malta from Libya on the same boat in June 2008 while Mr Udem and Mr Jimmy arrived in September 2008. All 4 were put straight into detention at Hal Safi, where they remain to this day. They applied for refugee status when they arrived.
They said that detention was not necessary, that it was illegal and arbitrary and that it contravened the European Convention on Human Rights which protected the right to liberty.
The defendants noted that detention for a period of 12 months (18 if they do not apply for refugee status) was allowed by the Immigration Act, and that its legality that has already been unsuccessfully challenged in previous cases.
The Court also heard that the migrants were claiming that their fundamental rights had been violated but that they had not been debased or humiliated in any way while in detention.
The Court said the Convention allowed detention “pending the decision on admission, deportation or extradition”, it heard, albeit not indefinitely or for an unreasonable time.
The European Court of Justice established in 1992 that 2 years was “unreasonable” but the Constitutional Court said the national limits were not unreasonable as one had to keep a balance between the individual’s liberty and the need to protect the socio-cultural fabric of the country.
It noted that refugee applications often took so long because the migrants arrived here without any identification and often did not cooperate with the authorities, but felt the government was keeping the right balance between controlling the flood of migrants and offering a deterrent to others who might be thinking of coming here, and their right to liberty.
With regards to their claims of inhuman and debasing treatment, the Court noted that these had not been proved.
“While the situation in the detention centre is not ideal, the irregular migrants in Block B are not being subjected to distress or hardship of an intensity exceeding the unavoidable level of suffering inherent in detention,” it said.
It noted that some of the problems associated with detention stemmed from the fact that the migrants formed tribal groups, with regular acts of vandalism causing damage to their own environment.
Reply Forward
Pensioners living in collapsing house
The Malta Independent on line
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98845
Two pensioners who live in the same rented debilitated house in St John Baptist Street Sliema, filed a court application calling for the Social Policy Ministry to grant them alternative accommodation
The residence of Marianne Gauci and John Vella was declared dangerous and in imminent risk of collapse. In particular, the roof stone slabs in the front room at the ground floor level have failed and exhibit cracks. All door jambs are in an advanced state of deterioration whilst humidity is very extensive in most parts of the building, particularly the dining room and kitchen.
The residents are deprived from going upstairs as a consequence of broken stairs. Meanwhile, the first floor was described to be in a worse state. Some roof slabs are missing while some rooms, including a bedroom, lack electricity. Stone jambs have dislodged themselves from the rest of the structure.
Sometime ago, a stone had fallen from the ceiling, hitting Ms Gauci in the head. She had needed stitches.
On 23 January, Ms Gauci reported that debris was falling from the ceiling. A police report was lodged and upon inspecting the building, two police officers advised the residents to seek alternative accommodation.
The case goes back over 20 years. In 1987, the police had taken criminal action against the residence owners, Zammit family, after failing to carry out the necessary works at the house. Since then, the house was sold and transferred to Mario Tonna, who was ordered by the police to present a technical report drawn up by an architect.
However, Mr Tonna failed to carry out the necessary works. Ms Gauci and Mr Vella believe he has the intention of forcing them of the building to demolish it and develop it as a commercial establishment.
A section of the building collapsed on 9 November and on 12 November. The police had ordered Mr Tonna to repair the building and remove the danger which existed to the tenants and pedestrians.
The complainants, asked for financial compensation for the risk they have been living in since 1986 and for breach of their rights.
Dr Tonio Azzopardi signed the application.
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=98845
Two pensioners who live in the same rented debilitated house in St John Baptist Street Sliema, filed a court application calling for the Social Policy Ministry to grant them alternative accommodation
The residence of Marianne Gauci and John Vella was declared dangerous and in imminent risk of collapse. In particular, the roof stone slabs in the front room at the ground floor level have failed and exhibit cracks. All door jambs are in an advanced state of deterioration whilst humidity is very extensive in most parts of the building, particularly the dining room and kitchen.
The residents are deprived from going upstairs as a consequence of broken stairs. Meanwhile, the first floor was described to be in a worse state. Some roof slabs are missing while some rooms, including a bedroom, lack electricity. Stone jambs have dislodged themselves from the rest of the structure.
Sometime ago, a stone had fallen from the ceiling, hitting Ms Gauci in the head. She had needed stitches.
On 23 January, Ms Gauci reported that debris was falling from the ceiling. A police report was lodged and upon inspecting the building, two police officers advised the residents to seek alternative accommodation.
The case goes back over 20 years. In 1987, the police had taken criminal action against the residence owners, Zammit family, after failing to carry out the necessary works at the house. Since then, the house was sold and transferred to Mario Tonna, who was ordered by the police to present a technical report drawn up by an architect.
However, Mr Tonna failed to carry out the necessary works. Ms Gauci and Mr Vella believe he has the intention of forcing them of the building to demolish it and develop it as a commercial establishment.
A section of the building collapsed on 9 November and on 12 November. The police had ordered Mr Tonna to repair the building and remove the danger which existed to the tenants and pedestrians.
The complainants, asked for financial compensation for the risk they have been living in since 1986 and for breach of their rights.
Dr Tonio Azzopardi signed the application.
Dealing with low public morale
Times of Malta
Editorial
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091217/opinion/editorial
It seems that it never rains but it pours for the many Maltese families who currently have to cope with various attacks on their standard of living. Why are so many of us feeling so grumpy about our current financial wellbeing?
Inflation rates that are substantially higher than those in the eurozone, rising unemployment, worsening job prospects especially for young people, limited opportunities for extra income through part-time work or overtime, and now substantial increases in the cost of water and electricity have taken their toll on the public's morale. This is evidenced in the results of a recent Eurobarometer survey.
This survey not only demonstrates the bad mood that is affecting the Maltese but also indicates that the situation is deteriorating rapidly. Despite being spared the worst effects of the global recession, we are finding it difficult to reconcile our long-held conviction that the future will always be better than the past, with the cruel reality that in the current global environment we have to work even harder to earn every euro that goes in our pockets.
As we are slowly but surely being weaned off the economic shock absorbers of state subsidies, rising fiscal deficits and escalating borrowing to support our welfare state, we feel the bitter pain brought about by the threat of falling living standards and the insecurity that this brings with it. In this sense, we are not faring much differently from the Irish and the Greeks who are facing similar threats to their quality of life.
The new tariffs for water and electricity may have just coincidentally been announced with the survey findings. But they will certainly not help to lift the spirits of consumers. The controversy surrounding the massive increases in the cost of energy services in late 2008 is still fresh in many people's minds. It is important that the reinstatement of these higher rates for 2010 do not destroy the chances of new investment that ultimately can help us overcome the current slump.
The greatest risk that we take when these morale sapping developments occur is that the agenda for structural reforms is put on the back burner until the public mood improves again. This is a luxury we cannot afford. There are many analysts who argue that health, pensions and social benefits reforms should have been accelerated in the past when the economic situation was rosier so that we could face recessions, like the current one, with more optimism.
Membership of the eurozone club has helped us to instil discipline in the management of our public finances, although it is understandable that some see this development as an obstacle to, rather than an enabler of, prosperity. Politicians should be brave enough to tell the people in detail how they plan to reinvigorate the economy. The emphasis should be on straight talk, devoid of political rhetoric, that is clear enough to avoid misinterpretations.
Telling people to cut 15 per cent of their current electricity consumption to neutralise the effect of the increases in rates is probably insensitive and could well raise the anger against the government. Many are already cutting corners to make both ends meet.
The government needs to deal with the public's low morale through credible reassurances that our taxes are used effectively by cutting on mismanagement in public entities and unaffordable public expenditure. We also need more determined action against corruption, and a fairer tax burden sharing by those capable of contributing to the upkeep of the state.
Editorial
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091217/opinion/editorial
It seems that it never rains but it pours for the many Maltese families who currently have to cope with various attacks on their standard of living. Why are so many of us feeling so grumpy about our current financial wellbeing?
Inflation rates that are substantially higher than those in the eurozone, rising unemployment, worsening job prospects especially for young people, limited opportunities for extra income through part-time work or overtime, and now substantial increases in the cost of water and electricity have taken their toll on the public's morale. This is evidenced in the results of a recent Eurobarometer survey.
This survey not only demonstrates the bad mood that is affecting the Maltese but also indicates that the situation is deteriorating rapidly. Despite being spared the worst effects of the global recession, we are finding it difficult to reconcile our long-held conviction that the future will always be better than the past, with the cruel reality that in the current global environment we have to work even harder to earn every euro that goes in our pockets.
As we are slowly but surely being weaned off the economic shock absorbers of state subsidies, rising fiscal deficits and escalating borrowing to support our welfare state, we feel the bitter pain brought about by the threat of falling living standards and the insecurity that this brings with it. In this sense, we are not faring much differently from the Irish and the Greeks who are facing similar threats to their quality of life.
The new tariffs for water and electricity may have just coincidentally been announced with the survey findings. But they will certainly not help to lift the spirits of consumers. The controversy surrounding the massive increases in the cost of energy services in late 2008 is still fresh in many people's minds. It is important that the reinstatement of these higher rates for 2010 do not destroy the chances of new investment that ultimately can help us overcome the current slump.
The greatest risk that we take when these morale sapping developments occur is that the agenda for structural reforms is put on the back burner until the public mood improves again. This is a luxury we cannot afford. There are many analysts who argue that health, pensions and social benefits reforms should have been accelerated in the past when the economic situation was rosier so that we could face recessions, like the current one, with more optimism.
Membership of the eurozone club has helped us to instil discipline in the management of our public finances, although it is understandable that some see this development as an obstacle to, rather than an enabler of, prosperity. Politicians should be brave enough to tell the people in detail how they plan to reinvigorate the economy. The emphasis should be on straight talk, devoid of political rhetoric, that is clear enough to avoid misinterpretations.
Telling people to cut 15 per cent of their current electricity consumption to neutralise the effect of the increases in rates is probably insensitive and could well raise the anger against the government. Many are already cutting corners to make both ends meet.
The government needs to deal with the public's low morale through credible reassurances that our taxes are used effectively by cutting on mismanagement in public entities and unaffordable public expenditure. We also need more determined action against corruption, and a fairer tax burden sharing by those capable of contributing to the upkeep of the state.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Feast prepared for l-Istrina
Di-Ve
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Local News
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67675
Institute of Tourism Studies students, lecturers and staff have been working voluntarily for the past 4 weeks, preparing tonnes of
food for a Christmas feast which will raise money for l-Istrina on Saturday.
Over 200 students, as well as 5 prisoners from the Young Offenders’ Unit Rehabilitation Scheme, have produced over 1,100 Christmas logs and 12,000 mince pies, using over 3 tonnes of ingredients in the process.
Led by ITS lecturers they are also preparing stuffed chickens, mulled wines, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, roasted chestnuts and other foods which the public can purchase in aid of charity.
The ingredients used were all donated free of charge by companies and individuals, allowing all proceeds to go directly to charity.
The 12-hour activity, which will be held at Valletta Palace courtyard, starts at 1000h.
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Local News
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67675
Institute of Tourism Studies students, lecturers and staff have been working voluntarily for the past 4 weeks, preparing tonnes of
food for a Christmas feast which will raise money for l-Istrina on Saturday.
Over 200 students, as well as 5 prisoners from the Young Offenders’ Unit Rehabilitation Scheme, have produced over 1,100 Christmas logs and 12,000 mince pies, using over 3 tonnes of ingredients in the process.
Led by ITS lecturers they are also preparing stuffed chickens, mulled wines, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, roasted chestnuts and other foods which the public can purchase in aid of charity.
The ingredients used were all donated free of charge by companies and individuals, allowing all proceeds to go directly to charity.
The 12-hour activity, which will be held at Valletta Palace courtyard, starts at 1000h.
Foreign citizens make up 3.8% of population
Di-Ve
Local news / Current affairs
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Local News
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=43&Action=1&NewsId=67656
Foreigners make up 3.8 per cent of the Maltese population, with the British accounting for over a quarter, Indians for 6 per cent and Serbians for 5.1 per cent – 4,100, 900 and 800 people respectively.
Eurostat reported on Wednesday – International Migrants Day - that 6.2 per cent of the EU’s population was made of foreign citizens as at January 1, 2008. The largest groups in the EU are Turks (2.42 million – 7.9%), Moroccans (1.72 million – 5.6%) and Romanians (1.68 million – 5.4%)
In all, 30.8 million foreign citizens lived in the EU27 member states, of which 11.3 million were citizens of another EU27 member state. The remaining 19.5 million were citizens of countries outside the EU27, of which 6 million were citizens of other European countries, 4.7 million of Africa, 3.7 million of Asia and 3.2 million of the American continent.
In Malta, there are 15,000 foreigners – of which 8,000 come from other EU member states and 7,000 come from countries outside the EU.
Local news / Current affairs
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Local News
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=43&Action=1&NewsId=67656
Foreigners make up 3.8 per cent of the Maltese population, with the British accounting for over a quarter, Indians for 6 per cent and Serbians for 5.1 per cent – 4,100, 900 and 800 people respectively.
Eurostat reported on Wednesday – International Migrants Day - that 6.2 per cent of the EU’s population was made of foreign citizens as at January 1, 2008. The largest groups in the EU are Turks (2.42 million – 7.9%), Moroccans (1.72 million – 5.6%) and Romanians (1.68 million – 5.4%)
In all, 30.8 million foreign citizens lived in the EU27 member states, of which 11.3 million were citizens of another EU27 member state. The remaining 19.5 million were citizens of countries outside the EU27, of which 6 million were citizens of other European countries, 4.7 million of Africa, 3.7 million of Asia and 3.2 million of the American continent.
In Malta, there are 15,000 foreigners – of which 8,000 come from other EU member states and 7,000 come from countries outside the EU.
Sedqa calls for lower blood-alcohol limit
Di-Ve
Wednesday 16th December 2009
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Current Affairs
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67674&newscategory=31
The blood-alcohol limit for drivers should be reduced from the current 80mg/decilitre to 50, Aġenzija Sedqa insisted on Wednesday.
At the launch of its annual campaign to promote responsibility amongst drivers during the Christmas season, Sedqa noted that the current limit was one of the highest levels permissible in the EU. Sixteen member states have enacted a limit of 50mg/dl, Ireland plans to reduce its 80mg/dl limit to 50 next year, while 8 have a level ranging from 0-20mg/dl.
Sedqa has been pushing for this legislation since its inception, and said that the reason behind its recommendation was based on research and experience which showed that lower limits led to fewer traffic fatalities.
The agency also called for a revision of regulations to allow police officers to administer breathalyser tests at their discretion.
“Statistics show that arraignments in Court for drink-driving average about 10 a month – surely not a representation of the real situation especially when it is common knowledge that unfortunately many people drink and drive,” Sedqa maintained.
Sedqa’s Christmas campaign, for which the agency has joined forces with Rotaract La Vallette Malta, has already seen billboards put up in 2 prime locations – in Marsa and Paceville – urging people not to drink and drive.
The agency is also set to collaborate with Rotaract on further events and initiatives over the next few months, including the production of an interactive CD for secondary school students and a booklet on the harm of substance abuse during pregnancy.
Wednesday 16th December 2009
by di-ve.com - editorial@di-ve.com
Current Affairs
http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=67674&newscategory=31
The blood-alcohol limit for drivers should be reduced from the current 80mg/decilitre to 50, Aġenzija Sedqa insisted on Wednesday.
At the launch of its annual campaign to promote responsibility amongst drivers during the Christmas season, Sedqa noted that the current limit was one of the highest levels permissible in the EU. Sixteen member states have enacted a limit of 50mg/dl, Ireland plans to reduce its 80mg/dl limit to 50 next year, while 8 have a level ranging from 0-20mg/dl.
Sedqa has been pushing for this legislation since its inception, and said that the reason behind its recommendation was based on research and experience which showed that lower limits led to fewer traffic fatalities.
The agency also called for a revision of regulations to allow police officers to administer breathalyser tests at their discretion.
“Statistics show that arraignments in Court for drink-driving average about 10 a month – surely not a representation of the real situation especially when it is common knowledge that unfortunately many people drink and drive,” Sedqa maintained.
Sedqa’s Christmas campaign, for which the agency has joined forces with Rotaract La Vallette Malta, has already seen billboards put up in 2 prime locations – in Marsa and Paceville – urging people not to drink and drive.
The agency is also set to collaborate with Rotaract on further events and initiatives over the next few months, including the production of an interactive CD for secondary school students and a booklet on the harm of substance abuse during pregnancy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
