Boris Johnson could run for UK Prime Minister again

Oct 21 2022

Boris Johnson is expected to run for the upcoming Tory leadership contest following the resignation of Liz Truss and could end up becoming Prime Minister again.

Truss had replaced Johnson after he quit Downing Street, with The Times reporting that Johnson is expected to stand in the contest to replace her.

The prime minister announced on the 20th of October that she will leave the role just 44 days after taking the position. This makes her the shortest serving prime minister in British history.

As the Conservative party sorts out who will be the next leader of the country, Truss will stay in office for a few more days as this is sorted out.

Despite the Tories planning to have a new prime minister in place before the fiscal statement on October 31st, the Labour Party is demanding a general election to elect a new Prime Minister.

Truss’ resignation comes just 24 hours after she described herself as a fighter and ‘not a quitter’, but she realised she could not deliver the mandate the Tories gave her a little over 6 weeks ago when she replaced Johnson.

However, many are of course not keen on having Johnson return as he was forced to resign ‘in disgrace after countless lies, scandals and failures. He shattered public trust in the government and plunged the UK into a political crisis.’

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Spanish exhibition ‘Enlightened Universe’ to mark UN 70th anniversary in Valletta

Oct 21 2022

The Spanish Embassy will be bringing over to Malta an art exhibition done by a Spanish artist entitled ‘Enlightened Universe’.

This will be unveiled in Pjazza San Gorg, Valletta, on 21 October and will stay there until 5 December for all entering the capital city to enjoy.

The installation was commissioned by the UN to mark its 70th year anniversary and it was produced by Spanish artist Cristobal Gabarron.

The piece has since been touring around the world and placed in prominent cities such as New York, Amsterdam, Geneva, Brussels, Valladolid (Spain) and now Valletta.

Work on bringing the installation to Malta started in 2020 and the idea was to use it as a ‘curtain raiser’ for the UNSC experience in Malta and also to mark Malta’s and Spain’s historical and bilateral ties.

The event will also host a number of governmental officials and have addresses by various people connected to the project, including Gabarron himself.

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Worker mental health first aid should be compulsory proposes union

Oct 21 2022

The General Worker’s Union has highlighted the importance of mental health aid for all employees on all jobs by proposing making it compulsory as of the next budget.

‘For many of us, work is a major part of our lives. It is where we spend much of our time, where we get our income and often where we make our friends’ the proposal read.

‘All of us have times when life gets on top of us – sometimes that’s work-related, sometimes it’s our health, our relationships, or private circumstances. It is important that employers take care of the well-being of all employees by addressing mental health at work for those who are facing difficult times or are at risk.’

The union is proposing that new legislation/regulation is enacted to make it compulsory to have a mental health first aider in every workplace.

‘Physical first aid is legally obliged in our workplaces; however, most do not cover mental health problems. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches people the skills to help someone who they’re concerned about.’

‘Awareness of mental health is increasing, but we still face a world where people with mental health problems face discrimination and can face challenges getting the help they need. Many people who experience stressed try to keep their feelings hidden because they are afraid of other people’s responses’.

‘When we enjoy good mental health, we have a sense of purpose and direction, the energy to do the things we want to do, and the ability to deal with the challenges that happen in our lives.’

Read full proposal here.

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4 day work week and 10 hour work days proposed by worker’s union

Oct 21 2022

Ahead of the 2023 Budget, the General Worker’s Union proposed two possible solutions to maintain a better work-life balance.

According to their proposal list, the worker’s union stated that ’in a fast-paced new world of work, every employee is finding it very hard to reconcile his/her work and his/her family commitment.’

Thus, the union is proposing more flexible working arrangements as long as the flexibility still respects the Working time Directive. The first proposal is a 40 hour work week spread over 4 days as this will give an extra day off to the employee.

However, this was not the only possible alternative to the current work structure the union is proposing. The GWU is proposing that those in a 24 hour operation spread over 7 days, the employees may have a choice to work 10 hours from Monday to Thursday or Friday to Sunday.

‘Those working from Friday to Sunday will work for thirty hours and get paid for 40 hours (10 hours on Sunday translates to 40 hours of pay). ‘

The 4 day work week has been the talk of various countries trying out the system, but it had been previously shut down by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana ahead of last year’s budget. He said that worker productivity needs to drastically increase before Malta takes on the reform.

Full proposal here.

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