Updated – Newsportal Review
The Times of Malta reports that several former employees of a taxi fleet claim that they have not been paid months’ worth of salaries, with some amounts running into thousands of euros. Some of the workers have opened cases with the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations, the authority responsible for employment disputes, including wage theft.
Maltatoday says that Government is proposing a simple majority vote for standards commissioner appointment if two-thirds majority cannot be reached after two voting rounds.
Newsbook reports that a remote gaming operator, Nesh Limited, has been slapped with an administrative fine of €198,126, following an onsite compliance review in 2020 by the anti-money laundering watchdog.
The Malta Independent says that a total of 1,202 persons in Marsa were charged with prostitution and loitering over the past three years, police crime records show.
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Former Labour MP Silvio Parnis died on Tuesday, aged 58, following a period of ill health. The Labour Party announced the former MP’s death saying Parnis spent his life serving the people, both as a broadcaster and a politician. He practiced the values of social justice and always helped the less fortunate, it said. (Times of Malta)
FIAU fines ECCM bank €310,000
ECCM Bank is the latest credit institution to face the wrath of the FIAU with a €310,000 for anti-money laundering transgressions. In a public notice, the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), Malta’s anti-money laundering unit, said ECCM Bank did not have adequate business and customer risk assessment measures in place. The Unit said that the bank failed to carry out periodic reviews of the money-laundering risks posed by existing customers. Furthermore, the FIAU found that ECCM was not collecting adequate and comprehensive information on the business activity of its customers. (Times of Malta)
American autodealer magnates land Maltese citizenship
American auto dealership magnates Alan Potamkin and Robert Potamkin are among Malta’s latest acquirers of its golden passport scheme, Maltatoday has revealed. The portal identified the names of the Potamkin dealership group in the 2021 list of naturalised Maltese citizens, published as usual a year later in December 2022. The Potamkins appeared side by side other relatives on the list of naturalised citizens: Robert with his wife Lexie, daughter Ayla and son Alexander; and Alan with children Adam, Andi and Cole. Brothers Robert and Alan Potamkin are co-chairmen of the Potamkin Automotive Group.
Gaming and software firm cites governance as basis for move out of Malta
Media and Gaming Invest SE has relocated its headquarters from Malta to Sweden, a decision it had originally taken in view of Malta’s greylisting by the FATF, the world’s anti-money laundering watchdog. Prior to Malta’s de-listing, the company noted how greylisting may have resulted in an “increased risk premium on the company’s shares” and that it may “preclude certain prospective investors from investing in the company.” Despite Malta managing to exit the list last year, the company, which generates some €300 million in revenues, has gone ahead with its decision, citing Sweden’ “very high reputation and good governance standards.” (BusinessNow)
Morning Briefing
Man arraigned on Paola shooting
Martin Delia, a 66-year-old man was arraigned in court on Monday night over a shooting which took place in Paola on New Year’s Eve. The shooting following an argument during which a 57-year-old man shot in the face with a shotgun on Vjal Santa Luċija. The victim sustained grievous injuries. The shotgun used is reportedly used for hunting. Two men were arrested on Saturday, a 66-year-old man and a 30-year-old man, both from Paola. However, only the former is being arraigned. Delia also stands accused of grievous bodily harm, carrying a weapon while committing a crime against a person, carrying a weapon without a police licence and tampering with evidence. His legal team, led by defence lawyer Jose Herrera, argued that Delia should be granted bail on clemency grounds with the pensioner reportedly in poor health. Magistrate Astrid May Grima turned down the bail request, noting the gravity of the offence as well as the fact that civilian witnesses have yet to testify. (Newsbook/Times of Malta)
Allied assistants get new sectoral agreements
The Ministry for Health and UHM Voice of the Workers have signed a new sectoral agreement for the Allied Assistants employed in the public sector. The agreement that was signed improves career advancement prospects of current and prospective employees, and provides more opportunities for the Allied Assistants to continue their studies, also through a new course at the level of MQF Level 5, in order to advance more expeditiously in their career and as well as an increase in allowances. The agreement was signed by the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry for Health Joseph Chetcuti and the Chief Government Doctor Walter Busuttil on behalf of the Ministry for Health and Josef Vella and Annalise Casha on behalf of the UĦM.
Catering, hospitality industry reports positive festive period
The hospitality and tourism industry has reported a positive and busy New Year’s Eve, according to the SME Chamber.
“We’ve heard very good reports from Valletta and St Julian’s as well as from across the rest of the country,” said Chamber of SMEs deputy president, Philip Fenech. Firms offering catering for private parties, such as those taking place in homes and rented villas, also experienced high demand, according to the trade lobby. Clubs, bars and restaurants enjoyed a positive performance after two difficult festive seasons, according to operators. (Times of Malta)
