67-Year Old Restaurant Owner Admits To Human Trafficking

Jul 25 2024

A 67-year old restaurant owner has admitted to human trafficking after he was arrested by the police following an investigation conducted by Jobsplus, Identita and the police.

The Dingli resident had applied to authorities to bring over foreign workers mainly from India to Malta however it was found out that the amount of workers gotten far exceeded the amount of workers actually needed.

Reportedly when the situation was originally flagged by Jobsplus, the man proceeded to fire most of the individuals and falsified several tax-related documents.

The man who was essentially a director of a restaurant-owning company was ultimately charged with human trafficking, making false statements, exploitation, and more.

Due to a very early guilty plea and being cooperative with the investigation it is being reported that the prosecution and all parties agreed that a 2-year sentence was enough.

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Conference On Prevention Of Human Trafficking

Conference Prevention Of Human Trafficking

Jul 25 2024

Aġenzija Appoġġ, part of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS), is intensifying its efforts to combat human trafficking with a comprehensive and holistic approach that prioritizes the well-being and support of all affected individuals.

On the International Day Against Human Trafficking, FSWS hosted a conference titled ‘Preventing Human Trafficking: Stopping Abuse Before It Starts,’ where various stakeholders discussed optimal ways to assist victims.

Currently, 17 individuals are receiving assistance from the local human trafficking service. Aġenzija Appoġġ offers sessions to both professionals and victims to raise awareness, create a safer environment, and prevent future exploitation.

The agency also runs a shelter for human trafficking victims, providing a secure and supportive space where victims can access essential services, receive advice, and begin emotional and physical healing. Last year, this residence housed 11 residents of different nationalities.

Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon emphasized the Government’s commitment to raising awareness about human trafficking warning signs, improving professional communication, and prioritizing long-term support for those at risk.

Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg announced Malta’s upcoming first national strategy to combat human trafficking. She highlighted the preparatory work over the past three years with Council of Europe experts, which included training public officials and conducting awareness campaigns to ensure effective implementation.

Buttigieg also mentioned that the Human Rights Directorate is running an awareness campaign on various forms of human trafficking to raise public consciousness about this organized crime, emphasizing the need for public cooperation.

For more information or resources on preventing and fighting human trafficking, call 22959000 or the Supportline 179.

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95% Of Maltese Believe There Is Widespread Corruption

Jul 25 2024

A Eurobarometer survey reveals that one in four people in Malta knows someone who has taken or accepted a bribe, with a quarter of the population believing that “everyone knows about these cases and no one reports them.”

The main reason for not reporting corruption is the belief that it would be pointless, as the culprits would not face consequences. The survey shows that 26% of Maltese personally know someone involved in bribery, a significant increase of nine percentage points since 2023. Additionally, 35% fear repercussions if they report corruption.

The survey, which included 26,000 participants across 27 EU countries, highlights that 79% of Maltese think high-level corruption cases are not sufficiently pursued. When asked who they trust to handle corruption reports, 59% chose the police, 21% the national ombudsman, and 14% journalists.

The report, titled “Citizens’ Attitudes Towards Corruption in the EU in 2024,” indicates that 95% of Maltese believe corruption is widespread, up from 92% last year.

Bribery is perceived to be most prevalent in political parties (73%), building permit offices (67%), and among politicians (63%). Half of the Maltese think corruption affects their daily lives, significantly higher than the 27% EU average.

The survey shows strong disapproval of corruption, with the majority against giving favours, gifts, or money to achieve goals. Moreover, 88% believe that close ties between business and politics lead to corruption, and 80% think favouritism hampers business competition. Finally, 54% said that political connections are essential for business success in Malta.

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Applications For Rock’N Malta 2025 Fund Officially Open

Jul 25 2024

The Minister for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, has announced the opening of applications for the Rock’N Malta 2025 fund, which allocates a total of €300,000.

This fund is part of Festivals Malta’s extensive portfolio, aimed at providing financial assistance and organizational guidance to artists, event organizers, and promoters of rock music and its subgenres.

“This fund helps to enhance the cultural and musical environment of our country in the rock genre. The allocated funds offer valuable support to those working in the rock music sector, and I am pleased that this program has continued to strengthen over the years. We are committed to supporting artists and organizers to improve the quality of cultural events in Malta,” stated Minister Bonnici.

The Minister added that over the years, Rock’N Malta has benefited various local events such as Rock the South, Dark Malta, Earth Garden, Għaxaq Music Festival, and others, as well as concerts by artists like Lordi, Anastasia, Dream Theater, Steve Hackett, and more.

The CEO of Festivals Malta, Frans Agius, explained, “Through Rock’N Malta, Festivals Malta reaches a broader audience than we do with our other festivals. With this fund, we continue to invest in the rock genre and will keep working to give more importance to this musical sector, which is very popular in our country.”

During the press conference, the new Rock’N Malta brand was also unveiled. “We felt it was important to give the initiative a more vibrant identity, not only to make the brand more appealing but also to better represent the rock genre,” concluded Mr. Agius.

Applications for the Rock’N Malta 2025 fund close on September 20, 2024. Those interested in applying should visit www.festivals.mt for more information.

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