Updated 1230
Employers to face harsher fines for breaching employment laws: Parliament is set to debate amendments to the Employment and Industrial Relations Act that would significantly increase fines for employers violating labour laws. The minimum fine for first-time breaches would rise from €232 to €2,000, with a maximum of €5,000. Repeat offenders could face fines of up to €7,000. Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul said the changes aim to better protect workers and deter abuse. The prescription period for taking legal action would also double from one to two years. The Department for Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER), currently handling around 500 reports, said the new measures will strengthen enforcement against issues like unpaid wages, improper payslips, and unauthorised salary deductions.
Universal Air to cease scheduled operations end May, charter flights remain available: Maltese airline Universal Air, based at Malta International Airport, will cease all scheduled flight operations on 30 May 2025. Founded in 2015 as Air CM Global Limited and rebranded in 2022, the airline announced the decision after “careful consideration,” stating all scheduled bookings from 31 May onwards have been cancelled. Despite ending regular passenger services, Universal Air will continue offering charter and ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) services. The airline operates under a certificate issued by Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate.
Morning Briefing
Man who left jeweller for dead sentenced 32 years in prison
A man who viciously attacked an elderly jeweller during a botched robbery, leaving him for dead, has been sentenced to 32 years in prison after the victim died from his injuries last month. Mohamed Anas Boualam admitted to the assault on 67-year-old Joseph Carabott, which caused severe brain damage. He had initially denied charges of grievous bodily harm and kidnap, but later changed his plea to guilty. The charges were upgraded to murder after Carabott died. The assault occurred in August 2023, when Carabott was discovered unconscious and badly injured in his Żurrieq shop. He never recovered. Co-accused Zouhair Hadoumi, 28, denies involvement and will stand trial. A third accomplice, Donna Sciberras, confessed and received a 28-year sentence. She testified that Boualam beat Carabott while Hadoumi held him down. (The Malta Independent)
38 Maltese citizens evacuated from Tripoli
38 Maltese nationals stranded in Tripoli, Libya, have been safely evacuated and returned to Malta following a coordinated operation led by Maltese authorities. The evacuation, which took place on Thursday, was the result of joint efforts by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry for Home Affairs, in collaboration with Libyan security forces and various Maltese government agencies. The operation followed renewed clashes in the Libyan capital, where heavy fighting broke out on Wednesday between rival armed groups—just a day after officials had declared the violence over. (Maltatoday)
Free mental health first aid course launched
A new government-backed mental health first aid course has been launched by the Health Ministry to help the public better support people facing mental health challenges. The free, accredited course will teach participants how to recognise signs of conditions like anxiety and depression and offer basic support until professional help is available. The course will be held at local council premises nationwide. It consists of four three-hour sessions led by mental health professionals from the Richmond Foundation, with both morning and evening options. (Times of Malta)
