Latest News update
Times of Malta says Ousted ONE radio host Emanuel Cuschieri has urged people to join him outside the law courts on Tuesday in support of former roads agency chief Fredrick Azzopardi, who is facing prosecution for environmental crimes.
MaltaToday says PN MPs are insisting Clyde Caruana should come forward and say whether Air Malta’s employee transfer scheme is still doable after deadline was moved to October from mid-August
Newsbook says a Malta-Geneva flight scheduled for 2.35pm was delayed until 6.06pm on Saturday.
TVM says the second radiology machine at the Oncology Hospital has been repaired and has resumed working after the radiotherapy service at Mater Dei was temporarily suspended two weeks ago, due to technical breakdowns.
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Survey highlights increase of mental health issues at work: 79% of employees have experienced mental health issues, including stress and anxiety associated with work, while an increasing number of respondents said that their sense of optimism declined in recent years. Over 70% of respondents described their job as stressful. These figures represent an increase when compared to 2021 with most workers citing low morale at the workplace, lack of support, tight deadlines and long hours as the main reasons. Joanne Bondin from Misco said that “this study has shown us that the incidence of mental health issues at the workplace is greater than one would imagine. In a society that has seen immense changes, employers are increasingly giving this subject more attention and importance by implementing initiatives to try and address this issue.”
Mario Mallia’s case reaches Industrial Tribunal: The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) has filed court proceedings against St Albert the Great College over the recent dismissal of its headmaster Mario Mallia. In a declaration filed this morning before the Industrial Tribunal, Mallia explains that he had been employed as headmaster on an indefinite contract of employment. Addressing the press outside the law courts, MUT president Marco Bonnici declared the union’s support for Mallia, arguing that the dismissal was unjust because established procedures had not been followed and because the reasons given were “unfounded and irrelevant.”
MP calls for shorter parliamentary speeches: Labour Party CEO and MP Randolph Debattista, who was co-opted in Parliament right after the election argued that if parliamentary speeches become shorter, the work carried out by the government would increase and the speeches would become more engaging for all MPs as well as for those following proceedings. “Government has a lot of work to carry out, thus there is a need to have shorter parliamentary speeches. Once speeches are made shorter, the passing of laws will occur in a more fast-paced manner, thus, automatically more work can be discussed,” Debattista argued.
Morning Briefing
Dolphins at Marine Park die of lead poisoning – reports
Lead poisoning caused the death of three bottlenose dolphins at the Mediterraneo Marine Park in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq last year, Times of Malta has learned. Two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the three female dolphins – Mar, Onda and Melita – died after ingesting material which contained lead. One source from within the park said this may have occurred when a weight bag stuffed with lead pellets split in the pool and escaped employees’ notice. This has not been confirmed, however.
AirMalta transfer scheme extended
The deadline for Air Malta’s employee transfer scheme will be extended from mid-August to October. The scheme was created in yet another restructuring at the national airline, this time intended to cut Air Malta’s workforce by half and save €15 million per year in wages. Government has promised to offer alternative employment to staff taking up such schemes. While the deadline was originally scheduled for next week, the company decided to push it to October so as not hamper operations during the busy Summer period. The company received 571 applications from the 824 eligible employees. (Maltatoday)
23-year-old charged on hit and run accident
A 23-year-old man from Birżebbuġa was charged in court yesterday with the involuntary homicide of Antoine Degabriele. Dean Donovan Frendo allegedly hit him with his car and left him on the side of the road in Żejtun two days earlier. He also charged, in front of Magistrate Rachel Montebello, with negligent driving, speeding, failing to stop after a collision, driving without a license and insurance cover, as well as tampering with evidence in the days following the incident. (Times of Malta)
Former PM leaps in defence of Frederick Azzopardi
Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has publicly defended former Infrastructure Malta head Frederick Azzopardi who is facing charges over illegal roadworks at Wied Qirda in Żebbuġ. In 2019, Infrastructure Malta ignored a stop and compliance order issued by the Environment and Resources Authority over these illegal roadworks. “This mistaken decision carries consequences. Someone must be held responsible,” Muscat said, insisting he was ‘sad and angry’ on the situation. He went on to add that Azzopardi “will be brought to Court, because he essentially did his job to have the infrastructure that is needed in our country”. (The Malta Independent)
