Only essential workers will be allowed in Malta – PM Abela
Only workers essential to Malta’s economy will be allowed into the country, Prime Minister Robert Abela has insisted. Speaking to MaltaDaily, Abela emphasized the need for a balanced approach to address Malta’s rapid population growth. Abela answered various questions from social media, with one concerned citizen highlighting the strain on Malta’s infrastructure due to overpopulation, citing traffic congestion, overwhelmed health services, and inadequate sewage systems. Abela described the population growth as a byproduct of economic expansion and job creation. “We used up available Maltese and Gozitan human resources, and economic growth created vacancies that needed to be filled by foreign workers,” he explained.
Country’s woes are result of lack of planning – Grech
Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech criticised Prime Minister Robert Abela and his administration for their lack of planning during an interview on NET FM on Sunday. Grech highlighted the government’s poor planning by citing the Vitals-Steward hospitals deal, the recently announced emergency tender to outsource emergency care to the private sector, nationwide power cuts, and the increasing national debt. “This is a government without a plan,” Grech stated. Discussing the Health Ministry’s urgent call on Friday to alleviate pressure on Mater Dei’s emergency services through the private sector, Grech noted the lack of foresight as Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela gave interested parties only eight days to submit their applications for the emergency tender.
No funds for artists for over a year – MEIA President
Maria Galea, President of the Malta Entertainment Industry and Arts Association (MEIA) revealed that Maltese producers and artists have been without funds for over a year. Speaking on RTK 103, Galea explained that the Film Commission was originally given a budget of €600,000. Following rebranding, the amount was later increased to €900,000, which was then allocated to the Arts Council. However, until now, Maltese producers and artists have not had access to any of these funds. Galea argued that this figure is extremely low, especially given that a low-budget feature film costs at least €1.2 million.
