I joined the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) in 1972 when I was still a student at the St Michael College of Education at Ta’ Giorni studying to become a teacher. Those were happy days for all my fellow students and myself. The De La Salle Brothers running the College inspired all of us with a sense of dedication to the wonderful world of being a teacher. They also inculcated in us the need for the teaching profession to be organized in a trade union. I remember as if it was yesterday Bro Edmond lecturing us on the Trade Unions representing different teaching grades and his insistence that all these Unions should unite. Thanks to the strong direction of the MUT leaders of the time this today is a reality.
I soon became an active member and in a few years time I was a School Delegate. It was very demanding work but at the same time very satisfying. An MUT delegate plays a vital role in the running of a school especially when the head of school appreciates this beneficial human resource. Many problems are solved at school level without the Union having to make official representation with the authorities and thus a school can operate very smoothly.
I eventually got elected on the MUT Council and served three terms. During this period I occupied various posts including Assistant General Secretary and International Secretary. I also contributed to the setting of the MUT Language School. I was later appointed General Secretary of the Confederation of Malta Trade Unions (CMTU).
Over the years I have gained lots of valuable experience both as an educator and as a Trade Unionist. I represented MUT and CMTU at numerous local and international Conferences and organisations including the Malta Council for Economic and Social Dialogue (MCESD), European Union Social Dialogue Committee, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) Executive Committee, ETUC Social Protection Committee, Secretary of the joint Maltese Trade Unions negotiating team during the Social Pact discussions and CMTU Reform Commission. I was also part of the ETUC Negotiating Team on the setting part of the European Framework Agreement on Violence at the Place of Work and Maltese workers’ representative on the implementation of the EU Framework Agreement on Telework. I was also alternative member of the European Social Fund and the Dublin Foundation for the Improvement of Living Conditions.
This experience has exposed me to realities being faced by Trade Unions in the modern world and the need for reform. Many European Trade Unionists argue that in order to survive, trade unions must adapt or re-shape their traditional roles so as to render themselves more relevant to present and future working conditions. While so doing they have to be very careful to remaining faithful to their special vocation which is that of defending and promoting their members’ interests on the basis of human rights and social justice. These goals may be achieved for MUT through the positive involvement and active participation at the grass roots of School Delegates in all the decisions affecting their members rather than through reactions to decisions which have already been taken by others. In order to achieve this a much bigger investment, including EU funded training programmes, is needed for the training and formation of effective School delegates.
Members should feel that they are being listened to. Members should not feel that Union officials are distant from the reality of the school and the classroom. For this reason I feel that Union officials should return to school duties after completing a maximum number of terms so as not to run the risk of turning into Union bureaucrats jealously safeguarding their position. This period will surely have served them well and they can then continue with their teaching career.
I strongly believe that all people working in education should form part of the MUT. As professionals we should feel the need to belong to a professional body which plays a significant national and European role.
We in the Education Sector are living very exciting times. The reform being implemented in education will surely bring great benefits not only to all our children but to the country in general. The Agreement signed recently between the Government and MUT was meant to facilitate this Reform. Many members are unhappy with this Agreement for various reasons. They feel they have been let down by their Union and argue that they should have been consulted before the Agreement was signed. Contrary to the practice of other Unions, both Maltese and more so European ones, the present MUT Statute does not allow for this kind of arrangement as it is the MUT Council which finally accepts or rejects an agreement. An early review of the recent Government-MUT agreement on Teaching Grades is a must especially in the light of the recent anomalies caused by the agreements with the Medical related Unions. Any matters open to interpretation in the present agreement should be settled once and for all. Such an addendum should ensure a fair deal for all teaching grades. If elected this will be my number one priority.
I feel that I have the necessary qualities and experience to assume more responsibilities so as to make MUT more relevant to the present realities and sensitive to both the individual needs of its members and the country in general.

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I refer to your article in Malta Today of last Sunday relating to the Government’s decision to re-apply for Partnership for Peace.
 While it is correct to state that the matter was not decided upon while I served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, I fully concur with the decision of Government to re-apply for Partnership for Peace.
 Joining Partnership for Peace gives greater credibility, and is a natural progression, to our EU membership providing Malta with the possibility of positive contribution in the way so ably demonstrated by Luxembourg over the years and by many other ‘smaller/medium-sized’ EU states including states which have a strong constitutional tradition of neutrality such as Ireland and Austria. As part of the European family we have to contribute in the same way (not necessarily to the same measure!) that we can expect to receive and therefore as partners working in unison with others. Partnership for Peace allows Malta to further increase its relevance in international politics and gives it greater weight in the EU.
In line with rejoining Partnership for Peace, in my opinion, the time has come for a serious unemotional debate to be carried out on Malta’s general relationship with NATO since, post-Cold War, this organisation has a changing collective security role also espoused by many non-member countries such as, for example, Russia and Algeria.
We need a full, serious debate of Malta’s long-term interests in a changing global milieu. While considering the continuing benefits of Malta being the ‘friendly face of Europe towards its southern neighbours’ and a ‘trusted interlocutor’ (as amplified in the Strategic Objectives of Malta’s Foreign Policy document), this debate should also extend to the passé terminology defining ‘neutrality’ in our Constitution.
 
Michael Frendo
Ta’ l-Ibrag

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Barely a few days have passed, that already the GonziPN government has shown of what mettle is made! In an almost secretive way, it concocted to reactivate the PfP. In an almost typically one-party state way, it informed us citizens of what it had decided in a short and dry statement. In an equally typical way reminiscent of a government of a banana republic in Central America, it decided so on the pushing of a non-elected guru acting on behalf of a foreign power! (MaltaToday, 23 March 2008)
Why all the hurry? Why just inform the Opposition on phone? Why did it not wait for a parliamentary debate? Because it has acted typically as a minority government doing things speedily taking everyone by surprise, knowing it won’t have any opposition in this particular moment in time.
The GonziPN government has been ushered in on the wrong foot, with a bad taste of a one-party state ignoring that it is only a minority government not enjoying the confidence of the majority of not only those who have voted but also of the majority of the electorate! But under the one-party state semblance of the GonziPN everything is possible… just as in the country of Ali Baba!

Mario Vella
Via email

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I refer to an opinion written by the President of the Malta Union of Teachers last Sunday where he stated among other things that “the present situation in Malta does not augur well. The government needs to act now before it is too late to make the profession more attractive”.
Personally I spoke about this fact during the general election campaign and must say that nobody supported what I said. On the contrary when the undersigned and the Malta Labour Party argued about the need for more teachers, others said that this will be of a burden on the country’s finance. Just a few weeks after the general election the Labour Party is proved right once again.

Carmelo Abela MP (MLP)
Zejtun

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The pen is mightier than the sword when its sheath contains the indelible ink of honesty and is guided by an unwavering true hand. When it is used to stab at the truth it becomes an insidious dagger.
Unfortunately for me, because of the impending elections, I felt constrained to read all opinions in the papers and on the web. In Daphne Caruana Galizia’s case I had to turn up my trousers and nose and wade into her world of verbal effluent. Her previous aspersions on Maltese being a kitchen language dovetail with her English which is solid closet stuff! Daphne is impaled on her own nib, chained to her character assassinating PC, unashamedly gleeful at what she perceives to be Harry Vassallo’s wasted years as chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika.
That she opts to mock an individual who has chosen freely to work for 16 long years for this country is grandly bitchy. It is awesome that only two months ago Daphne declared she would vote for Harry if he were a PN candidate and then sets her claws on him as if he were a racist. It might sell papers and it definitely pays well but it is one jab short of a bloodsport. She fails to realise that his and other people’s long selfless endeavour to advocate change, right wrongs and protect human rights is its own virtue… maybe because she long jettisoned the idea of unremunerated work? She has the gall to lecture about his responsibilities towards his family and then peruses of her son’s vulgar outburst on her blog to tell Harry “to ‘eff off”!
She was once an erudite and uncompromising columnist who elevated that sector in the papers. She has transmogrified into a merchant of derision, a mercenary of GonziPN, a peddler of obfuscation. Daphne has succumbed to the fascist notion that the means justifies the end. She once elucidated minds, now she soils them with idiotic chicken jokes and preposterous conclusions. Despite her self professed claims to be sophisticated and above most of us lesser mortals, her blog is a collage of hateful invective and puerile jibes. It has been said that women have to prove themselves twice over to be taken seriously in this male dominated society. Daphne has dived thrice deeper into the gutter press to prove she can hit harder and faster below the belt than any other opinionist. Her diatribes are pornographic journalism.
Daphne could have done a world of good had she understood that recycling garbage deals with the real thing as opposed to her assembling column upon column of poo to serve as fodder to the articulated morons of her chattering class, week in, week out…
Her strength and therefore her weakness is her psychotic dependency to demolish her targets. Her scathing personal attacks are grating. That she takes it upon herself to dish out advice like a matron in the kitchen is risible if it weren’t so depressing. This doyen of the cowered middle class has yet to find the space to condemn Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando although her feminine side finds him so good looking (oh dear!).
Only a few days ago she pummelled Sant and advised him on resigning his parliamentary seat because it’s the thing to do in her own words. Lately she questioned whether JPO should resign since he represents his constituents, her included! Now how is that for integrity, balance and logic? I think that, more than some politicians, Daphne needs a break. In the meantime I await her promise to rant and rave for electoral change with bated pessimism.

Christian Holland
Naxxar

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Well, Daphne’s poison pen has certainly – but just barely – earned its keep! One wonders… will it now be put out to grass, seeing as it has achieved its purpose and Labour leader Alfred Sant has resigned? Or is it only in semi-retirement, awaiting the election of the new leader of the party? Will it then be employed once again, in renewed vengeance to spell its vitriolic spin? We can only wait and see!

Pauline Saliba
Naxxar

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What is the name of the game? Is it our idea of democracy?
Recently, the two major parties in conclave secrecy agreed upon some changes needed to the electoral system. Obviously, they did not feel the need to consult with civil society in general or with representatives from the other parties intending to contest the general elections. They merely looked upon their own selfish interests.
Thus they agreed that whoever does not get the absolute majority but gets instead the relative majority should be granted the necessary number of seats to compensate for a perverse result, wherein the party with a relative majority could end up with a minority of seats. In fact the Nationalist Party obtained 1,600 more votes than the Labour Party but three seats less in parliament. Rightly so, the Nationalist Party, thanks again to this slim 1,600 majority of votes, got an addition of no less than 4 seats in Parliament.
How come then, that we 4,000 Maltese citizens who voted for Alternattiva Demokratika are not represented in our own parliament since this was not translated into any parliamentary representation? Is this our notion of democracy, 1,600 can get you four seats while 4,000 can get you none?
How come that in other European countries, a 1% national quota can get you parliamentary representation whilst in Malta, no? Have we joined Europe for nothing? Indeed, we might have joined Europe but we are still miles away from giving our country the European dimension. Should we suggest that whoever gets a relative majority needs to have a 5% majority over its political adversary to rule on its own, otherwise a national coalition government should be instated? How is that for fairness’ sake Dr Gonzi and whoever?
Or should we propose that a relative majority should grant you a two-seat majority in parliament, given that whicever of the small parties obtains more than 3,500 votes (a district quota) spread out over the entire districts will be granted a Parliamentary representation. Now, that is some ray of hope for our democracy!

Saviour Sammut
Hal Safi

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The electorate is confused and disgusted. Our Prime Minister is a gentleman but he has been duped by his own people. We have a minority government which is governing our country when the majority of the electorate opted against a Nationalist administration.
There is no faith in this administration despite a well-intentioned effort by the Prime Minister to put on an acceptable Cabinet. There is confusion within the Labour Party – the 48.7% who voted for the MLP under Dr Sant are disillusioned as their leader has immediately resigned and no one is aware as to who exactly is running the party or how the party is being currently administered.
Two smaller parties had their leaders call it a day in the footsteps of Dr Sant. What country is this, what leaders do we have, can the people have faith in our political system and the ingrained corruption that has become the symbol of the powerful in my country?
The JPO case no doubt is only the proverbial tip of the iceberg – resignations from MEPA only followed after they were exposed; thus these resignations in no way expurgate anyone. MEPA has long had its name discoloured by abuse and corruption. Other individuals believe they can do what they like in my country and political figures including a number of those recently elected are openly seen with these dubious characters.
Malta wastes time hounding persons like Norman Lowell only because he spoke his mind in what is constitutionally a free country; the real scoundrels and scallywags are still usurping precious land, abusing of the laws of our land, and even being elected to Parliament by a largely idiotic electorate who are manipulated and who cannot sift the wheat from the chaff.
This is the country, dear Prime Minister, that you are governing with the common people grumbling and annoyed but feel impotent to do anything. Let us get out of this mess with honour. Please call another general election, do not even convene parliament but do not resign.
Let us have a fair and clean election campaign where each divergent opinion will be given adequate space to voice its views and explain its objectives. Demand that the Broadcasting Authority immediately resign for the manner they treated the smaller fry with a mere five minutes airtime to expose them to ridicule.
Let us halt having a Mickey-Mouse country and get down to serious professionalism, a characteristic which is flagrantly lacking in our country where nepotism and back-scratching are the supreme command of each day. Long Live a clean Malta and let us go back to the polls for a just and not manipulated result, where voters will be truly free and hear each and every opinion before they go and vote!

Emmy Bezzina
Alpha Liberal Democratic Party, Valletta

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Just a quick word: wasn’t it Freud who defined madness as doing the same thing exactly the same way over and over again and expecting a different result each and every time? Anna – I don’t know you from a bar of soap. But my heart bleeds for you and all the passionate and well-meaning Labour supporters. Nothing could be more obvious with what is rotten in the MLP right now than watching last week’s Bondiplus. The ill-bred few ruling over the decent and well-mannered many.

Charles Portelli
Massachusetts, USA

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I would like to first of all congratulate Mr Tonio Fenech not only for his appointment as Minister of Finance but also, together with our Prime Minister, for successfully steering our country ever closer to the European fold, both in political and economic matters.
I read with caution and scepticism that CO2 emissions-based car taxation is going to be Mr Fenech’s priority. The European Commission’s infringement procedures against Malta on used car import taxation methods has to be the instigating factor which forced the Malta Government to contemplate changing the car taxation system. Mr Fenech’s opinion on the matter one year ago can be reviewed by listening to his parliamentary intervention (starting after five minutes) from the recording.
Taxation of CO2 emissions in the context of climate change is very appropriate. But is the spirit of environmental concern the main guiding brief for a new car taxation system? Is the new taxation system going to be applied only to private passenger cars or to all road vehicles? The polluter pays principle; is this going to be applied only to passenger car users. What is going to happen to numerous pick up trucks and panel vans which are used as passenger cars but have been advantaged with favourable registration taxes and road licensing tariffs? Are ‘competitiveness’ arguments going to be used to exempt aged and overworked heavy goods vehicles and commercial vehicles from the polluter pays principle? Discussions with stakeholders must have been carried out except with the stake holders with the biggest number of members - the consumers!
The current registration tax system had and still has only one aim, and that is to have the same effect as import duties and as a fiscal tool to reduce imports of this class of goods: passenger cars. I believe that this will remain the aim of any car tax changes. We will see. This is a vestige of archaic closed market policies. The result of such policies is the oldest vehicle fleet in the EU except for Hungary and Bulgaria – some consolation that is. It has done nothing to reduce the car fleet, this can only happen with an en masse mentality change by the Maltese and when the public transport system offers a viable alternative to the passenger car. The provisions in the Registration Tax Law for used car imports have been tailor-made as a protectionist tool to favour new car importers. Such provisions have reached the peak of what is morally acceptable but has not been effective in stemming the onslaught of the increasing market share of used car imports. There is therefore the need to consider also disincentives for owning and using older vehicles and a drastic reduction in overall taxation of cars at importation or registration to offer an incentive to upgrade to a newer vehicle. Without a viable public transport system (including taxi service) increasing tax on older vehicles will diminish popular support for the Government.
The importance of including a road vehicle licence tariff based also on EURO emissions standards classification is not to be overlooked. Vehicle emissions include CO2 (reducing this helps to save the planet) but also oxides of nitrogen, volatile hydrocarbons including benzene derivatives and particulates (reducing these increases our level of health). All these emissions increase with the age of the motor and the age of its technology. A 20-year-old vehicle may have less than twice the CO2 emissions, but 15 to 30 times all other noxious emissions of an equivalent new vehicle.
There is one major problem in reconciling emissions-based taxation and the polluter pays principle. Once a hefty sum is paid for a vehicle with high CO2 emissions at registration, there is no disincentive not to use that vehicle as much as possible. This can only be achieved with increased fuel tax. Raising fuel tax and the price of fuel will not only be fully compatible with the polluter pays principle – without exception and favouritism – but will be a factor in forming the choice of the consumer in selecting a fuel efficient vehicle.
Unless new cars are drastically reduced in price by removing hefty taxations at importation and registration, they will never be competitive enough with used car imports. It is only a matter of time before the Commission’s infringement procedure will come to roost. Mr Fenech is fully aware that there is no contest here otherwise there would have been no attempt to change the current car tax system. Whatever the change, past tariffs paid on new vehicles will always be the factor which determines the tax due on a used car EU import as provided by Article 90 EC.

Dr Albert Bezzina
Mosta

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On the 5 July 2007, an appointment was made with the archbishop of Malta, Mgr Pawl Cremona O.P. during which he was personally informed about the details referred to in the letter to the Editor entitled “Money donated to Charity” published on Sunday 23 March, 2008. In fact he was supplied with all the details including those of the persons concerned. He was also supplied with all the relative documents.
However the archbishop’s reaction was that he could do nothing about the matter since he said that he has no jurisdiction over religious orders! It should be noted that although the institutions involved were all Church entities, however not all of them were religious orders.
Since the Archbishop said that he does not have any jurisdiction over religious orders, then who has? Does it mean that the archbishop is only responsible for only a part of the Christians in Malta? If this is the case, then he should inform the Maltese Christians who in fact has jurisdiction over them.
As far I know there is only one Church in Malta. It is well known that when a religious priest wrote or spoke something which did not sound well with the archbishop, the archbishop himself suspended him for six months from writing or speaking in public. There was also a press release from the Curia about this censor. Or is jurisdiction interpreted according to what is convenient?
Is it not the duty of the archbishop to denounce ALL abuses, and take action when these concern the Church and its institutions?
After six months had elapsed from the personal meeting with the archbishop no action whatsoever had been taken. On 26 January 2008, a letter was sent to the same archbishop about this same matter. Although the receipt of this letter was acknowledged, however, there has been no response since.

Paul Galea
Via email

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During my annual visit to Gozo last year I went as I always do to Dwejra. I took a friend and her little boy and amongst other things I hired one of the local boat owners to take us out for a run in his boat which the kid really enjoyed, almost as much as me.
On the way back up the hill to the car park I noticed that workmen were using diggers to dig out foundations at the top of the hill on the left-hand side. I remember wondering at the time what was being built. Well now we know. Having just seen photographs of the monstrosity, which is sitting there at the moment, I beginning to wonder if anyone in the planning department concerned has a clue what they are doing.
The whole area around Dwejra is so beautiful and yet someone decided that this eyesore would fit in; unbelievable. Whilst I must commend MEPA for taking action so quickly in this instance the question remains as to why this thing was allowed to progress so far. We are told it is a restaurant, but who can claim that a restaurant is really needed at a place of such natural beauty as Dwejra. It seems from the news report that even Nature Trust have their reservations! Nothing short of dismantling the whole thing will do justice to the Heritage Park.

James A. Tyrrell
Larne, N. Ireland

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In March 2008, the Save Wied Garnaw Action Group turned four!
The Group takes this opportunity to inform the friends of Wied Garnaw and of Malta’s countryside about the Group’s work, what it has achieved -- and also not achieved -- in these four years.
The Save Wied Garnaw Action Group has campaigned continuously to prevent the destruction of Wied Garnaw by industrial and other developments which should be sited in industrial estates not in valleys.
The Action Group has also lobbied strongly for better legislative protection and enforcement of the law so as to save all Malta’s countryside, the outside development zone (ODZ). The Action Group members have sacrificed time and money towards this end but at least one takes satisfaction in seeing that the Group helped put ODZ areas in the national spotlight, it helped show MEPA’s inability to protect ODZ areas and the need for action to remedy this situation. To be constructive in its approach the Group also presented a brief of proposals to the Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment on how certain ODZ shortcomings may be remedied.
The Action Group’s pressure ensured that MEPA refuses an application for a permit to build four warehouses, and another application to build a residential complex and garages in Wied Garnaw.
The Group has also actively supported the following campaigns to oppose the building of: a tourist village and marina at Hondoq ir-Rummien in Gozo, a villa complex at Ramla l-Hamra, and bungalows and other structures on Ta’ Cenc cliffs.
Moreover, the Action Group’s pressure has ensured that MEPA twice refuses the application to build a plant to sort metal, tyres, wood, paper and other inorganic waste in Wied Garnaw. However, every victory consitutes only temporary respite, as ODZ applicants reapply if refused the first time round, and then appeal if refused twice. In fact, the waste sorting plant application is now stuck at the appeal stage. For over a year now, the Planning Appeals Board has been deferring this hearing.
The appeal process is riddled with bureaucratic inefficiencies and turns a blind eye at applicants’ evident attempts at protracting the process when the outcome does not look promising in their regard. This is because until the appeal is still underway, there is still hope that the appellant cracks the system in the end.
The appeal re the waste sorting plant has been deferred five times now. The fifth hearing was on 26th March 08, this Wednesday and has now been deferred to May 08, simply because the appellant didn’t bother to inform the PAB beforehand that the appellant wanted an MP to be questioned as part of the hearing.
Save Wied Garnaw Action Group members have attended these five hearings. In the process of attending hearings that get deffered, members waste their time without getting any compensation for it. But the PAB and the appellant’s architect have no incentive to stop deferments -- PAB members and the apellant’s architect get paid every time they attend a hearing. So these continued deferrments are often used to psychologically wear down the resistance made by ordinary citizens who cannot keeping taking leave from work, leave their family and fork out their time for free.
But, i believe that nobody can deny the writing on the wall any longer -- most Maltese people do not want these bureaucratic and other abuses in the development planning system. Most Maltese people want a MEPA that promotes sustainable development and respects not only those who can pay architects and lawyers, or who have party political contacts, but a MEPA that respects every law-abiding ordinary citizen. Because this requirement is at the basis of a true democracy - all should be equal in the eyes of the law.
The Save Wied Garnaw Action Group wishes to thank all those of you who have shown support to Malta’s countryside and to the Group’s efforts. The Group would be very happy to receive your comments, suggestions and feedback, by email or by post.
With best wishes for a green, beautiful and healthy Malta,

Catherine Polidano
Chairperson
Save Wied Garnaw Action Group

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The Malta Drag Racing Association, Motordrome and Deejay Banana in collaboration of The Eden Foundation  will be orginising the MDRA for Eden, a huge event in aid of The Eden Foundation. This event will be held on the 31st March 2008 at Hal far Raceway, Hal far.
The Eden Foundation is a non profit charitable organization, we provide educational and support to 345 students with learning disabilities. The Purpose of the foundation is to provide partnership for people in Malta and Gozo with learning disabilities, in order to help them, achieve full inclusion to the best of their abilities by gaining access to mainstream education, employment and leisure activities – leading them to an independent life.
For this huge event besides the races at the MDRA Race way, as all cars taking part in the show may try their car on the track against a very small donation, there will also be a day race at the karts raceway with scooters taking part. The MDRA back gate will be open for easy access too. A donation of 3 Euro will be paid at the door at both sites by participants and spectators. So once again, I am hereby inviting you to help us by give us some coverage on your medium to support our foundation and encourage all car enthusiast to come and enjoy this truly noble day.
Staff from the Fundraising Department devotes lot of energy and time for this Day to be an achievement so that the foundation continues with its work and dedication towards children and adults so as to have a better chance of living independent lives.

Robert Farrugia
Head – Marketing & Fundraising
Eden Foundation

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I read and agree with many of Mr Alfred Mifsud’s views and suggestions, although I do not see any Labour or socialist beliefs in these ideas and suggestions.
The core of the Labour party roots surely do not agree in such big policy transformations. Many of them still think with the mind of their long-time leader Dom Mintoff, who ran a country that provides this and that for ‘free’.
May we have an Opposition leader whose party policy dictum will not be to the extreme but a left-wing ideology, more to the centre, where both parties can meet on major policies, so that a government changeover will not be a World Cup win to the winning supporters and a catastrophe for the losers.

Lorenzo Brincat
Attard