Update 1140
Nursing crisis: graduates fell to a 10-year low in 2023: Last year saw the lowest number of nursing graduates in a decade, with only 83 qualifying, compared to 149 the previous year, according to University of Malta data. Paul Pace of the Malta Union of Midwives and Nurses noted that fewer than half of the graduates joined the government sector, exacerbating staff shortages. Around 20 pursued medical studies. Sociologist Godfrey Baldacchino highlighted labour market shifts in Malta, similar to those in other small economies like Cyprus and Luxembourg. He added that many nursing staff saw Malta as a stepping stone to higher-paying destinations like the UK. Nurses, speaking anonymously to Times of Malta, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of respect for their profession.
PM announces new open spaces on four sites intended for development: Prime Minister Robert Abela unveiled plans to convert 8,000 square meters of land across four localities—St Julian’s, Kirkop, Lija, and Luqa—into public green spaces, valued at approximately €20 million. Emphasising citizens’ need for nearby relaxation areas, Abela directed the Land Authority and Project Green to commence work on the initiative. These projects constitute part of a broader effort to transform 20,000 square meters of land nationwide into open spaces. Abela highlighted Project Green’s prior success in developing 40,000 square meters of green spaces and planting 4,000 trees in its inaugural year. He underscored the government’s commitment to balancing economic progress with social and environmental welfare.
Morning Briefing
EU forecasts growth, inflation to exceed EU average
Malta’s economic growth in 2024 has been revised upwards to 4.6% by the European Commission in its winter forecast. The upward revision when compared to the autumn forecast last November, is set to be driven by continued strong growth in net exports and private consumption. GDP growth in Malta remains well above the Euro area average. The Commission is expecting investment growth to pick-up this year after the construction slowdown in 2023. Public consumption is also set to remain strong. Inflation, however, is expected to remain above the European average. (Maltatoday)
Farmers protest against EU rules, demand more protection
Farmers from across the country drove from Ta’ Qali to Valletta in their trucks to protest against EU rules for the second time in two weeks. Honking horns as they made their way through the major thoroughfares, they insisted that EU rules mean there is an unfair playing field for local products, who face competition from imported foods, seeking therefore government’s protection. They also met with Agriculture Minister Anton Refalo, who said he was there in solidarity with the farmers. Shadow Agriculture Minister Toni Bezzina also said he backed the farmers, saying “it does not make sense to put our country in the same categories as other countries, with much larger resources and land than ours”. Among their proposals, farmers want government to block non-EU food products from entering Malta if local supply meets demand. (Times of Malta)
Man admits to gruesome murder
Elliot Paul Busuttil, 40, of Attard has admitted to carrying out the 2022 murder of 62-year old Mario Farrugia as well as the attempted murder of another man whom he attacked with a meat cleaver in 2020. He will be sentenced next month. Farrugia’s body was found in an abandoned car in a Qormi valley. Making submissions on punishment to Madam Justice Consuelo Scerri Herrera this morning, Busuttil’s lawyer Edward Gatt told the court that the parties were recommending a 35 year prison sentence. Busuttil had avoided a great waste of court time and resources, said the lawyer. “I see no reason for the court not to accept the agreement reached between the parties.” (The Malta Independent)
