Updated 1230
OLAF investigating fraud and nepotism at Malta-based EU agency: OLAF investigators have arrived in Malta to probe allegations of fraud, nepotism, and mishandling of harassment claims at a Malta-based EU asylum agency. The three-person team, led by Mariya Kirilova, is focusing on HR management and recruitment, particularly the appointment of senior management members. They are interviewing staff and individuals linked to potentially fraudulent appointments. (Times of Malta)
Chamber says prohibition to work after early retirement has negative consequences: According to the Malta Chamber of Commerce, the prohibition on individuals who choose early retirement from engaging in any form of active legal employment, either as an employee or self-employed, has numerous negative consequences. “While the statutory retirement age is 65, there is an early retirement pathway starting from the age of 61 years, subject to having accumulated 40 years of paid annual social security contributions. Those who opt for early retirement are prohibited from active participation in the labour market but may take up some form of employment again when they reach 65 years of age,” the Chamber said. (The Malta Independent)
Passport fund to allow new share issue by Lombard: Malta’s golden passport fund lifted its veto on a new share issue by Lombard Bank, a move that effectively dilutes its stake in the private institution. The National Development & Social Fund, whose revenues are generated by the sale of Maltese citizenship, on has voted in favour of a resolution to issue new shares and increase the bank’s share capital. The NDSF, which holds a 49.01% stake in Lombard, had last year blocked the board’s proposal saying it was not accompanied by a presentation to shareholders, including the reasons for the issue. (Maltatoday)
Morning Briefing
Life has won, Grech says
Bernard Grech, the leader of the PN and the Opposition, has welcome the government’s move to amend the abortion bill, limiting terminations to cases where the woman’s life is in danger, as a victory for life and for Malta. Addressing the PN’s general council on Sunday, Grech insisted that the right to life is the most fundamental right of all. In response to the government’s recent announcement of revised amendments to the abortion bill, he expressed his satisfaction, stating, “Life has emerged victorious, the people have emerged victorious, and Malta has emerged victorious. Malta has once again triumphed and will continue to succeed thanks to courageous decisions.” (Maltatoday)
No price control on food, Minister says
The government is not expected to emulate certain European nations’ actions of intervening to regulate prices of essential goods in order to address inflation concerns. According to Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, the government focused its financial assistance efforts on the areas that were most severely impacted and of utmost importance, namely fuel and electricity prices. In an interview with the Times of Malta, Caruana highlighted that rather than adopting measures similar to those implemented in other countries, the government took a distinct approach by stabilizing fuel and electricity costs. He stated, “Instead of contemplating the measures currently employed in other countries, this government pursued a significant action that none of these other nations even considered: we ensured the stability of fuel and electricity prices.”
Man dies after hitting parked cars
A man has lost his life after a tragic incident in Rabat. The 60-year-old, driving a Skoda Rapid car, collided with two parked vehicles in the same area. Some reports have indicated that the man might have lost consciousness before hitting the parked cars. A resident in the vicinity provided medical aid to the driver, and a medical team was promptly summoned to the scene. Regrettably, the man was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter. (TVM)
