Yet again us consumers are not being afforded an accountable or transparent, allied with reduced accessibility, customer service by Maltapost insomuch as whenever a feast or national holiday remotely approaches a weekend, the opportunity to suspend mail delivery and close Maltapost branches is invoked without any justification or explanation, and that this has the full approval and acquiescence of the Malta Communications Authority (MCA).
The latest offering of an inexplicable reduction in public service came last Saturday (06/09/08) and is apparently in honour (!) of the national holiday which falls on the following Monday (08/09/08). This unwarranted failure to have a delivery or have branches open to the public is a common recurring theme of late and has become noticeably prevalent since the privatisation of the Post Office, which assumes the mantle of irresponsible and unacceptable availability when consideration is given to the core value guidelines of the MCA as the entity tasked with overseeing and monitoring Maltapost’s performance and activities.
The key elements of Maltapost’s Universal Service Obligation revolve around the fundamental values relating to Accessibility (including branches open to the public), Daily Delivery and the Provision of Information, all of which are enshrined in doctrine published by the MCA.
I would ask how are these first two noble values being achieved given the inexplicable, and continuing unabated closure of branches and non-delivery of mail whenever a holiday occurs approaching a Saturday (not actually on a Saturday please note!)
One may cynically assume that the aforementioned values possibly become extraneous and inconsequential when consideration is given as to whether or not Maltapost staff are being paid to take what is in effect forced leave; furthermore whether or not any unions representing such staff were involved or consulted prior to this unilateral decision to deny the public of a basic and vital consumer service.
I venture to suggest that rather than considering the needs of the general public in this iniquitous strategy deployed by Maltapost, with the unacceptable tacit assent of the MCA, financial considerations have come to the fore along with lack of accountability or justification for such action failing to be divulged which, as stated, is on the increase.
I call upon the MCA and Maltapost to abide by and adhere to the principle components as outlined in the Service Obligation edict and not choose willy-nilly to offer services whenever it suits them due to seemingly considering financial aspects as opposed to masquerading behind the needs of the people.
Your input is solicited.

Peter Murray
Mosta