4-day work week proposed to Finance Minister by MCESD

4-day work week among 2022 budget proposals

Sep 1 2021

Amongst the 230 proposals presented by social partners for the upcoming budget is that of a four-day work week. Such work weeks have been subject to experimentation in foreign countries with many reporting boosted productivity, better work ethic and less mental health issues due to over-work.

This was proposed during a meeting between the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development (MCESD) to Finance Minister Clyde Caruana, with the former being accompanied by worker and employer unions. MCESD Chairperson James Pearsall stated that the proposals are all based on research and are aimed at moving Malta forward.

Proposals for the budget, which will be taking place on the 11th of October, also include the reopening of crafts schools as well as the rewarding of the bonus to the COVID-19 frontline workers. The Finance Minister stated that Malta, as any other country, is still feeling the impact of the pandemic in not just the health sector but also from the financial and economic perspective.

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Photo Source: The Motley Fool, Clyde Caruana FB

New show by Ray Calleja and Ron Briffa teased as Serataron ends

Aug 31 2021

Producer Sean Buhagiar posted to Facebook, teasing how Fridays will be dedicated to a new TV show hosted by iconic Ray Calleja and Ron Briffa in collaboration. Buhagiar unveiled how he was hired by Ron to work on quite a big project. He details the ups and downs, the tough decisions, the creative work behind the famous Maltese programme Serataron.

The programme’s fate was cut short, as Buhagiar states that he understands PBS’ decision to move towards more ‘in-house’ productions. He said there’s a lot of work to be done but, despite this, Serataron’s success (registering over 110,000 people watching every Friday on Television Malta) was a positive way forward.

He then teased a new show with Ron Briffa and Ray Calleja and a fresh new concept for Maltese television. We’ll just have to wait and see what this new segment on television will entail, but these artistic powerhouses have proven time and time again that they know what they’re doing and can provide entertaining and informative productions.

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Photo Source: Sean Buhagiar FB

Malta reported 1112 home fires since 2016

Aug 31 2021

Police have reported that since the year 2016, the Maltese islands have reported 1,112 home fires. The most common causes of such incidents have been chip pan fryers, which caused 82 fires and electrical meter fires (109). These statistics don’t account for those fires described as ‘apartment fires’, of which 114 were registered, and ‘house fires’ (220).

Sliema has registered the most fires over the past six years at 50, followed by Qormi and Birkirkara, both at 40, Hamrun, 36, and Gzira, at 33. The current year of 2021 saw 138 total fires across the islands, with 2019 seeing the highest amount of fires in the home (230). 2020 follows with 214, 2017 with 180, 2016 with 178 and 2018 at 172.

These fires have also caused a considerable amount of casualties and fatalities. The most recent was 81-year-old Lorenza Busuttil who passed away in a fire earlier this month in her Tarxien residence.

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Photo Source: BBC

Mr World Malta Alex Borg donates vouchers to help those in need