Updated 1241
Covid-19 Update: Three new Covid-19 cases were reported. There were two new recoveries as 2,271 swab tests were conducted. The number of active cases stands at 27.
Unemployment hits 10,516: During the first quarter of 2021, the Labour Force Survey estimates that total number of persons in employment was 263,400, 1.1% less when compared to the previous year, the NSO said today. These account for 60.0 per cent of the population aged 15 and over. Unemployed persons stood at 10,516 (2.4 per cent) while inactive persons totalled 165,325 (37.6 per cent) The activity rate for the quarter under review was estimated at 77.2 per cent with the highest rate recorded among persons aged 25 to 54 years (89.4 per cent).
Thousands will receive Astra Zeneca vaccine earlier to defend against Delta variant: Around 7,000 people will receive their second AstraZeneca jab earlier than planned. Malta is speeding up the process as a precaution against the Indian Delta variant. On Thursday a Health Ministry spokesperson told Times of Malta that the specified interval between the first and second AstraZeneca doses is between four and 12 weeks. “As the vaccination programme in Malta is advancing at a steady pace, a decision was taken to move forward by two weeks – from 10 to eight weeks – the second jab,” health authorities said.
Updated 0817: Newspaper Review
The Times reports on the decision by the Financial Action Task Force to put Malta on its grey list. Reacting to the news, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the vote in the plenary was unjust and that the majority of member countries disagreed with the verdict.
The Malta Business Weekly says that Malta and Romania have become the first two EU members to be placed on the FATF grey-list. It is understood that the US did not back a favourable vote for Malta.
The Independent quotes Finance Minister Clyde Caruana who said that there will be no sudden shocks to the financial system following the vote by the FAT to declare Malta a non-compliant jurisdiction.
L-Orizzont covers a press conference by Prime Minister Robert Abela who said that the government will keep its dialogue with international stakeholders following the decision by the FATF to put Malta on the grey list.
In-Nazzjon leads with the reaction by PN Leader Bernard Grech to Malta’s FATF grey-listing. Grech called on the government to set up a joint National Task Force with the opposition to restore the country’s reputation in the shortest time possible.
The Independent reports that health authorities are fast-tracking the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to 7,000 as a precautionary move against the Delta variant, spreading rapidly in Europe.
L-Orizzont reports on a new public scheme that helps family businesses implement succession plans. Minister Miriam Dalli said that a fund of €1 million will provide businesses access to professionals in the area.
The Malta Business Weekly reports on a conference discussing income inequality in Malta. A study by the university centre for employment studies showed that the richest 20 per cent earned four times as much as the poorest 20 per cent in 2018.
L-Orizzont announces a new collective agreement for the drivers of members of the judiciary. The agreement was signed between the General Workers Union and the Agency for Court Services.
Morning Briefing
It’s grey-listing for Malta: Members of a global anti-money laundering watchdog have voted to add Malta to its grey list. A high ranking official within government confirmed the country had not garnered the required support from FATF members to avoid the greylisting. It is understood that the US did not back Malta during Wednesday’s session. Sources said Malta was one of two countries that the FATF plenary voted to add to the grey list, with the other being Romania. If those votes are confirmed, they will be the first two EU countries to be added to the list.
The FATF which serves as a watchdog against money laundering and terrorist financing, is currently run by the German presidency.
The vote must now be formally approved by the task force’s broader membership but this is considered to be only a rubberstamping process.
Prime Minister Robert Abela has described a decision to add Malta to a financial crime watchdog’s grey list as “unjust” and said that most concerns flagged by global assessors had been addressed while Leader or the Opposition Bernard Grech said the decision this afternoon by the Financial Action Task Force to grey list Malta is “a punishment for the whole country”.
Further details and reactions here.
Charges against operators of fish restaurant: Two company directors, operators of a Pietà restaurant were charged with money laundering in relationship to
investigations into suspected financial crimes Darren Debono, a former footballer. Keith Testa, 29, and accountant Carlos Dimech, 27, were charged in their personal capacity as well as in their capacity as directors of Pietà Marina Caterers Ltd which operated Onda Blu, a restaurant specialising in fish, based at La Vecchia Dogana in Sa Maison, Pietà.They pleaded not guilty.
Covid-19 Update: Three new cases of coronavirus were reported on Wednesday, while nine patients recovered. Active cases continued to decrease and now stand at 45. 1,798 swab tests were carried out yesterday. 604,033 doses of the anti-Covid jab were administered so far. 270,745 persons are now fully vaccinated.
CDE News
