State has authority to seek back hospital concession funds – Court
The State Advocate has the authority to act independently of government directives to recover funds lost in the fraudulent hospitals concession, the Court of Appeal in its superior jurisdiction ruled on Monday. Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti overturned a previous decision by the First Hall, Civil Court, in a case initiated by the Nationalist Party. The party argued that State Advocate Chris Soler has both the power and obligation to take independent legal action to reclaim €400 million paid by the government to Vitals and later Steward Healthcare under a hospitals concession that was subsequently declared fraudulent by the courts. Opposition Leader Bernard Grech and PN MP Adrian Delia had asked the court to affirm the State Advocate’s role as the “guardian of the state” and compel him to initiate proceedings to recover the allegedly defrauded funds from the controversial privatisation deal. (Times of Malta)
TCNs earn 17% than Malta’s average income
Third-country nationals (TCNs) on single work permits earned 17% less than Malta’s national average income in 2023, despite many being overqualified, according to the Beyond GDP II report by the Justice and Peace Commission, EY, and APS Bank. The report highlights challenges faced by TCNs, who make up 20% of Malta’s working-age population, and questions whether they share in the country’s economic growth or are merely filling labour market gaps. It also critiques flaws in Malta’s single work permit system, addressing six dimensions: income, housing, education, jobs, health, and environmental quality. (Newsbook)
