A return to Good Friday processions after a COVID-19 hiatus

Apr 8 2023

After 3 years of not being able to celebrate this cultural and deeply religious practice, the Maltese islands yesterday finally saw the return of various Good Friday processions in various localities.

The processions were a highlight of the Maltese festive and religious calendar, as many dress up as various Biblical figures, whether it be apostles or Roman guards as they walk down their respective localities.

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Others carry large statues depicting various stages of Jesus’ crucifixion as onlookers admire the aesthetic and devotion that goes into the creation and maintenance of such figures.

The celebrations commemorate the day Jesus Christ was crucified and brings an atmosphere of deep spiritual reflection before the jubilant celebrations which take place on Easter Sunday.

Here are but a few snapshots from some of the processions which took place – an appreciation into the hard work which goes into the organisation of these processions.

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€3,011,000 in donations raised by Puttinu Cares during TV fundraiser

Apr 8 2023

A whopping €3,011,000 were raised during a Puttinu Cares TV fundraising marathon – all going to help fund and provide care for many in the Maltese islands battling cancer and other severe diseases.

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This of course comes after the 18th edition of the Puttinu Cares Friday Walk, which attracted thousands to brave the distance of approximately 17 kilometres.

The marathons show, yet again, the generosity of the Maltese public to come together to help those in need.

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24 year old dies after falling from height in Portomaso marina area

Apr 8 2023

Yesterday morning, 7th April 2023, at around 0615hrs, police were informed that their assistance was immediately needed in Vjal Portomaso.

From preliminary investigations, it was found that earlier on, a worker who was in a nearby building saw a man climbing up a building and later falling onto a grassy area.

Moments later, a security officer checked the zone and found a person badly injured, prompting him to call for assistance.

A medical team and members of the Civil Protection Department gave their assistance to the man, who was identified as a 24-year-old Colombian man resident of St Paul’s Bay. He was taken to Mater Dei via ambulance and certified to have suffered serious injuries.

Police were later informed by Health Authorities that the man unfortunately passed away. Investigations are ongoing and an inquiry has been opened by Magistrate Dr Joseph Mifsud LL.D.

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Data shows Gender Pay Gap persists despite progress on Gender Equality

Apr 7 2023

It has been over 25 years since the UN’s Beijing Declaration aimed to promote equality between men and women. Despite progress, the issue of gender equality remains, particularly when it comes to the gender pay gap. On average, women in the European Union are paid less than men.

However, a narrower gender pay gap does not necessarily indicate more gender equality. It can occur in countries with lower female employment rates. In contrast, a high pay gap may suggest that women are more concentrated in low-paid sectors or that many work part-time.

The gender pay gap is not straightforward and stems from numerous factors. While more women than men finish higher education in the EU, women are still underrepresented in the labor market. In 2022, almost one-third of women worked part-time, compared to only 8% of men. Women are more likely to take career breaks to care for children and relatives.

The gender pay gap also grows with age, potentially due to career breaks by women. Moreover, it varies by industry and was higher in the private sector than in the public sector in most EU countries in 2021.

The overrepresentation of women in lower-paying sectors and underrepresentation in higher-paid sectors is a significant factor in the gender pay gap. For example, in 2021, women held 34.7% of managerial positions in the EU on average.

The gender pay gap puts women at a higher risk of poverty in old age, as women aged over 65 in the EU received pensions that were on average 28.3% lower than pensions received by men in 2020. The gap varied between member states, from 0.1% in Estonia to 41.5% in Malta.

The European Parliament is taking action to address the gender pay gap. In December 2022, negotiators from the Parliament and EU countries agreed that EU companies would be required to disclose information to expose gender pay gaps. In March 2023, the Parliament adopted new rules on binding pay-transparency measures. Employers will have to conduct joint pay assessments with worker representatives if pay reporting reveals a gender pay gap of at least 5%. EU countries will impose penalties, such as fines, for employers who break the rules.

Moreover, vacancy notices and job titles will have to be gender-neutral. The Council still needs to approve the agreement formally for the rules to come into effect.

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