The Malta Business Weekly leads with a story about De La Rue in the UK shedding 170 jobs after it lost a government contract to print British passports. Unions have criticised the government for awarding the €490 million contract to French-Dutch company Gemalto.
The Malta Independent reports that the Council of Europe approved a report critical of the state of rule of law in Malta. 72 members voted in favour, 18 against, and 3 abstained while amendments made by the government were rejected.
The Times of Malta covers the presentation of the rental market reform on Wednesday. Rents will be of a minimum one-year period, and multi-year contracts will be capped at price-increase of five percent.
The Malta Independent also followed the launch of the rent reform, described by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat as a landmark. Muscat said the government will seek Opposition collaboration to pass the new laws through parliament.
L-Orizzont says that the new rental laws propose a register of rented property, with penalties up to €10,000 for landlords who fail to register their services. The reform will come into force as from January 1, 2020.
The Malta Business Weekly quotes data by Jobsplus showing that registered unemployment stood at 1,669 in May. The rate dropped among all age groups compared to the same month last year, except those under 25.
In-Nazzjon says that most of the work at construction sites came to a halt after uncertainties in the sector with the introduction of new building regulations. The paper says that, meanwhile, expenses for property buying continue to rise.
The Times of Malta speaks to Malta Developers Association president Sandro Chetcuti who said that around 80 percent of the construction industry is at a standstill. The Association is holding an urgent meeting for contractors to find a solution.
L-Orizzont highlights the main elements of the new construction regulations. While the Developers Association said the regulations clarify anomalies in the industry, the Kamra tal-Periti said that several points clash with the Civil Code.
In-Nazzjon quotes Caritas director Anthony Gatt who spoke against the legalisation of recreational cannabis. Gatt was speaking during the graduation of 16 people from the drug rehabilitation programme at San Blas.
In-Nazzjon says that PN General Council president Kristy Debono confirmed preparations for an extraordinary session after a petition from members. The Executive Committee will set a date and approve an agenda.
