Blanket Working Hour Cuts Risk Jobs and Competitiveness, Employers Say Malta Employers has warned that blanket or economy-wide reductions in working hours could undermine competitiveness and threaten jobs. While the Association remains open to flexible working arrangements and acknowledges that a four-day week may work in specific business contexts, it stressed that such decisions must rest with individual employers. Even companies within the same sector face very different operational realities, it said. Addressing a conference held to debate the issue and launch the Association’s position paper, Malta Employers President Ivan Refalo cautioned against one-size-fits-all measures and urged policymakers to safeguard a level playing field, particularly between the public and private sectors. The publication examines various reduced-hours models, reviews international experiences, and concludes that a four-day week is not universally applicable, especially given Malta’s current labour market constraints. (The Malta Independent)
Public Consultation Launched on Ambitious Grand Harbour Revival Plan A six-week public consultation has been launched on a long-term Grand Harbour Revival Plan, with the government confirming that the project will be largely funded through private investment. The regeneration, set to unfold in four phases over several years, will include a marina, residential units, hotels, retail outlets and food spaces, primarily delivered through concessions. The first phase will focus on the former power station site in Marsa and is expected to take between five and seven years. Plans include restoring historic bastions, converting the old customs house into a cultural venue and redeveloping the potato shed into food and retail space. Authorities said coastal buildings will not exceed bastion height, while later phases will extend to Lighters Wharf, Deep Water Quay and parts of Floriana. (Times of Malta)
Opposition Calls for Presidential Oversight in Chief Justice Talks Opposition leader Alex Borg has requested that President Myriam Spiteri Debono preside over all meetings with Prime Minister Robert Abela regarding the nomination of Malta’s next Chief Justice. Borg said the president should act as a guarantor of the process, adding that the same model should be applied to the appointment of the auditor general. Writing on social media, he argued that this approach would serve the country’s best interests and help restore trust in the appointment process. Borg explained that his request followed what he described as false statements made by the prime minister in parliament about their confidential discussions on the matter. He maintained that institutional balance and transparency must take precedence, insisting that national interest should come before partisan considerations. (MaltatodaY)
