315 Air Malta workers given collective €60,836,332 in severance packages

Apr 20 2023

Responding to parliamentary questions by Nationalist MP Ivan Castillo, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana revealed that 351 Air Malta workers were collectively given €60,836,332 in severance packages by the government.

They were handed the severance packages either under the voluntary redundancy scheme or the early retirement scheme.

Castillo was asking about how many workers benefitted from the severance package which was proposed by the government in 2022.

This came after the government revealed in January of 2022 that, as part of a restructuring effort, it would establish a voluntary staff transfer program to reduce Air Malta’s personnel by half. The government also intended to save €15 million annually on pay.

€40,000 was offered to those served up to five years; €80,000 to those serving 5 to 10 years; €120,000 for 10 to 15 years; €150,000 for 15-20 years; €180,000 for 20-25 years; €210,000 for 25-30; and €240,000 for those with over 30 years of service.

This also comes after Air Malta Chairman David Curmi revealed to Times of Malta that the new national airline would be set up by the end of this year.

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Man grievously injured after argument in Isla

Apr 20 2023

Yesterday, at around 1515hrs, police were informed that their assistance was needed in Triq il-Ħabs l-Antik, l-Isla.

Preliminary investigations indicated that an argument had broken out between a 41-year-old Bormla resident, a 43-year-old man from Isla and a 41-year-old woman from the same locality.

During the argument the 41-year-old man suffered some injuries and was taken to Mater Dei Hospital for further care. Hours later, he was certified as having suffered grievous injuries.

Police investigations are ongoing.

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First actor with Down’s Syndrome to land historic Disney role

Apr 20 2023

Peter Pan & Wendy star Noah Matthews Matofsky has just made history by becoming the first actor with Down’s syndrome to land a major Disney feature film role.

The 15-year-old actor will be portraying Slightly, one of Peter Pan’s Lost Boys, and shared his excitement on social media.

A schoolboy from West Sussex, Southern England, Matthews Matofsky heard that Disney was holding auditions for a new live-action Peter Pan film. Sending his audition tape, he was invited to meet with director David Lowery and shortly after that, found himself off to Vancouver for six months to film with the cast.

The actor also highlighted one of the kind gestures performed by veteran actor Jude Law, who will be playing pirate captain Jude Law. The older actor hired an ice cream van and served kids ice cream himself whilst on set.

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Over 380 people applied for Love Island Malta, showrunner tells TVAM

Apr 19 2023

With only a few weeks to go for Malta’s take on international television show Love Island, showrunner Christian Gravina told TVM morning programme TVAM that over 380 persons applied take party.

Gravina went on to explain that participants will be interviewed by a psychologist before the adventure begins to ensure that everyone’s mental health remains in tact since the programme requires participants to leave everything behind.

An estimated 20 people are expected to be part of Love Island Malta, with the first episode to air on May 14. The six-week long adventure will take place in a Villa in Malta, with fans of the international version making sure to tune in to the local edition.

Do you plan on watching Love Island Malta?

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