Agius Saliba To Lead EU Talks On Disability Rights And Workplace Algorithms

May 8 2025 Share

Labour MEP and Deputy Leader Alex Agius Saliba has been appointed lead negotiator for two significant initiatives in the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE). The initiatives aim to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities and to regulate the use of algorithms in the workplace.

Representing the Socialists and Democrats group, Agius Saliba will steer negotiations on the EU Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities post-2024 and a separate report tackling Digitalisation, AI, and Algorithmic Management at Work. He highlighted the urgent need for a solid regulatory framework to ensure rights for persons with disabilities are fully enforced across the EU, and for workers to be protected from invasive data practices.

“These proposals must go beyond promises and be transformed into real legislation and action,” he said, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Agius Saliba warned against allowing technology to lead to “modern-day slavery,” calling for workers’ dignity and privacy to be prioritised.

He emphasised the EU’s duty to lead globally on inclusion and labour protections, stating, “It is our responsibility to turn these values into reality, not just with words, but with action.”

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Around 200 Food Couriers Join General Worker’s Union

May 8 2025 Share

Around two hundred food couriers employed by Wolt have joined the General Worker’s Union to advocate for their rights and interests.

Recently, these workers have voiced concerns regarding their wages and benefits, prompting them to join the General Woker’s Union for better protection.

Last Wednesday, a meeting was held at the GWU building to discuss the organisation of these couriers.

Kevin Abela, Secretary of the GWU Food and Hospitality Section, emphasised the importance of proper organisation and assured workers that the union is dedicated to safeguarding their rights.

“The clear message was that we need to organise ourselves effectively and that the union will help them obtain what is rightfully theirs,” said Abela.

He also mentioned that another meeting is scheduled for next week, for which he will attend along with a small group of individuals who will compile all their requests into a single document. This document will then be submitted to Wolt and other companies that employ these couriers.

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Malta Amongst Countries With Lowest Fertility Rates In Europe

May 8 2025 Share

A recent KPMG report has highlighted that Malta’s fertility rate is among the lowest in Europe, currently standing at 1.06 — significantly below the EU average of 1.46 and the replacement rate of 2.1.

If current trends persist, projections indicate that by 2075, the native Maltese population could shrink to 240,000, with 40% of individuals aged 65 or older. This demographic shift could put considerable strain on the pension system and the labour market.

KPMG has called for “radical action” to address this issue and reverse the population decline in order to safeguard the sustainability of Malta’s healthcare and education systems.

Over the past decade, Malta’s population has grown by 32%, largely driven by an influx of expatriate workers, with foreigners making up 25% of the population by 2022, marking a significant demographic shift.

The report recommends measures such as creating more family-friendly work environments, enhancing childcare support, offering financial incentives for parents, and developing strategies to integrate and retain a skilled immigrant workforce.

In response, the Nationalist Party (PN) pointed out that the report exposed the flaws in Malta’s current economic policy, which heavily relies on mass foreign labour importation.

The PN argued that this strategy, lacking a clear plan, has led to increased pressure on public services, healthcare, education, and housing.

The Opposition called for a shift toward a sustainable socio-economic model focused on innovation and creating new job sectors for the youth.

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Miriana Conte Featured On Iconic MTV Big Tunes

May 8 2025 Share

Maltese Eurovision representative and overall rising star, Miriana Conte can now also add an appearance on the iconic MTV Big Tunes show to her ever growing resume.

Taking to Facebook, Miriana Conte fan Joseph Buttigieg revealed that he had to look twice to make sure it was the actual MTV as at first glance he just thought it was a Maltese tv station.

Conte has been hard at work preparing for her highly anticipated Eurovision debut in Basel, Switzerland.

As Eurovision approaches, the excitement is building — and Miriana is turning heads on the international stage .

The brighter her star shines, the more buzz she’s creating!

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