Bernard Grech calls for unity with workers to save Air Malta

Jan 21 2022

Opposition Leader Bernard Grech has issued a call to ‘work together’ with Air Malta’s worker representatives to save the airline.

The Nationalist Party leader on Thursday appealed for the collective effort during a meeting with unions representing the employees, following a government announcement last week that it would be cutting the workforce by half from 890 to 420.

In a statement outlining his call, Grech said that ‘we need to see how to move forward. Lets work together in order not to lose Air Malta. The Nationalist Party has a political duty to not lose the nation al airline because, at the end of the day, it is the workers, our economy and the entire country who will suffer.’

The statement revealed that the Opposition felt the need to meet the unions because they felt like they need a party which listens to them and understands their current plight.

During the meeting, Grech said that the Nationalist Party had a plan for Air Malta – a plan that started to work but the Labour Party abandoned. ’All this means that we need to look at this plan and see the realities of today in order to find an alternative to ensure the workers and their families that they have a future.’

The Opposition leader said that this situation needs to be solved as quickly as possible, not just for the work itself but also for the passion the employees showed their employment. ‘We cannot lose AirMalta because it is an important flag for our country and it is indispensable on various levels of our economy.’

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Photo Source: Bernard Grech FB, Nationalist Party Communications, @aeronited (Air Malta FB)

PM holds urgent meetings with MPs after Joseph Muscat home search

Jan 21 2022

Prime Minister Robert Abela has been calling in Labour Party MPs and Ministers for private meetings in Castille following the police investigation in his predecessor Joseph Muscat’s home.

Abela has allegedly attempted to manage and keep a split from forming within the party as several Labour supporters openly supported Muscat, questioning how the current prime minister did nothing to stop the police investigation.

Abela wanted to send the message through the ministers and MPs that the party was untied and that they should remain calm and serene following the ‘embarrassing visit’. This follows calls made openly by Labour’s One TV chairman Jason Micallef and presenter Emanuel Cuschieri for the party’s faithful to take to the streets to support Muscat. Sources have revealed that they were also expected to be called in by Abela over their social media posts.

The Valletta Cultural Agency head took to social media to rally Muscat’s supporters, saying the the former prime minister is ‘one of us’ and the time to ‘make our voices heard is here.’

Cuschieri also uploaded a similar post, saying; ‘message to Joseph Muscat. You will never stand alone. Just call me and you’ll find me by your side.’

Micallef revealed on Thursday that Abela did not ask for any posts to be removed, revealing that he wholeheartedly trusts the prime minister whilst also standing shoulder to shoulder with Muscat.

The former prime minister, whose Burmarrad home was raided by police and the phones of his two daughters were confiscated, revealed on a Facebook video that after his birthday weekend, he would address his supporters. This has sparked speculation by many that he would contest the election.

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Photo Source: Robert Abela FB, Joseph Muscat FB, Jason Micallef FB

Malta’s police employ officers with coverable tattoos

Jan 21 2022

The discussion as to whether Malta’s Police Force should employ officers with more visible tattoos is still ongoing. Speaking to TVM, Inspector Valerie Mifsud said that, contrary to what many believe, the corp does employ people with tattoos which can be covered with their uniform.

As part of recruitment, Mifsud revealed, these tattoos are all documented and no tattoos with abusive or racial imagery or messages are allowed.

‘Discussions are currently ongoing to see what the situation would be like if calls for people with tattoos from the sleeve downwards are issued. Obviously, prospective officers cannot have tattoos on their face or neck.’

Back in October of last year, Law Enforcement and Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri had said that it is time for the police corp to update its views on tattoos in the force.

He said that a positive change is taking place through a strategic transformation to have a more inclusive and modern force which represents society more.

In fact, Inspector Mifsud told TVM that the evaluation for calls to change the police uniform towards one more comfortable for the police as they carry out their duties is in its last phase.

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Photo Source: Malta Police Force FB

Woman who beat husband with rolling pin and kettle released on bail; which victim offered to withdraw

Jan 20 2022

A woman who was charged with brutally beating her husband and making false claims of rape has been granted bail, which was paid for by the victim in what was described as a “surreal” move is Malta’s courts.

The woman, a 36-year-old St. Paul’s Bay resident from North Africa whose name was not allowed to be shared, was arraigned before magistrate Charmaine Galea and pleaded not guilty to charges of moral and psychological violence, isolation and limitation to access of funds, education or employment.

The woman was also charged with damaging his belongings, insulting or threatening him and attempting to cause grievous injuries on her husband, reportedly beating him with rolling pin and full kettle. Further charges included false reports of accusing her husband of rape and sexual harassment, knowing that the victim was innocent.

The couple’s home had CCTV cameras installed due to the reported hosting of foreign language students and capture what Parte civile lawyer Dean Hili as “18 brutal minutes.”

The woman was released on bail with an imposed curfew, with the victim offering to go withdraw the money for her. Regarding the aforementioned situation, the magistrate was heard stating “this is surreal.”

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