Coffin Being Driven On Roof Of Car Spotted

Jun 14 2024

What seems to be a coffin was spotted being driven on the roof of a car in the Bir id-Degħeb area of Malta.

The photo was uploaded to social media on Facebook, with the poster writing:

‘I thought I saw everything in 30 years on the road everyday.’

It is unclear what led to the coffin being driven on the car in such a way.

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Security Minister Too Calls Out MCAST Police Directive

Jun 14 2024

Backing up Education and Sports Minister Clifton Grima, Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment Byron Camilleri revealed that he too disagrees with the MCAST directive to introduce police officers conducting patrols on campus.

‘Educational institutions are there to provide for the holistic development of students’, explained Minister Camilleri on social media.

‘I disagree with that decided by MCAST and more so about the way it was communicated. The campus is a place for the mixture of varying ideas and thoughts.’

He went on to explain that the police corp is there to offer service to people whilst keeping public order.

‘I have been informed that in the past few weeks the MCAST administration requested that such (extra duty) service is provided. As happens in every other sector, the police corp accepted according to the request of the educational institution.’

He concluded by saying that he welcomes the decision of the Education ministry to investigate immediately.

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NSO Survey Shows an Increase in Job Openings in First Month of 2024

Jun 14 2024

NSO Malta revealed in the latest Job Vacancy Survey (JVS), that there was a significant increase in job vacancies and provided a breakdown of occupied posts and vacancy rates across various sectors.

Key Results:

1. Job Vacancies:

Total Vacancies: There were 8,694 job vacancies, marking a 27.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Sector Contributions:
- Wholesale and Retail, Transportation, and Accommodation and Food Service Activities: Accounted for 23.6% of all vacancies.
- Real Estate Activities: Recorded the lowest number of vacancies at 1.3%.
Year-on-Year Changes:
- Public Administration, Defence, Education, Human Health and Social Work Activities: Noted the highest increase with 1,144 more vacancies.
- Professional, Scientific, Technical, Administration and Support Service Activities: Increased by 708 vacancies.
- Wholesale and Retail, Transportation, and Accommodation and Food Service Activities: Experienced a decrease of 201 vacancies.

2. Enterprise Size and Vacancies:

Small Enterprises (1-49 employees): Generated about 40% of vacancies.
Large Enterprises (250+ employees): Contributed 20.6% of vacancies.

3. Economic Sectors:

Private Sector: Saw an increase of 1,002 vacancies, holding 84.8% of the total vacancies.
Public Sector: Increased by 897 vacancies, representing 15.2% of the total.

4. Occupied Posts:

Total Posts: There were 264,379 occupied posts.
Sector Distribution:
- Wholesale and Retail, Transportation, and Accommodation and Food Service Activities: Accounted for over one-fourth of occupied posts, growing by 3.7% over the year.
- Public Administration, Defence, Education, Human Health and Social Work Activities: Made up 24.9% of total occupied posts.
Enterprise Size:
- Large Enterprises (250+ employees): Accounted for 38.7% of occupied posts.
- Medium Enterprises (50-249 employees): Comprised over one-fourth of all posts.
Economic Sectors:
- Private Sector: Had 209,428 posts, 79.2% of the total.
- Public Sector: Had 54,951 posts, 20.8% of the total.

5. Job Vacancy Rate:

Overall Rate: Stood at 3.2% for Malta, up by 0.4 percentage points from the previous quarter and 0.6 points from Q1 2023.
Sector Rates:
- Highest: Information and Communication sector at 6.1%.
- Lowest: Manufacturing, Mining, and Quarrying, and Other Industry at 2.2%.
Enterprise Size:
- Medium Enterprises (50-249 employees): Had a higher vacancy rate of 4.5%.
- Large Enterprises (250+ employees): Had a lower vacancy rate of 1.7%.
Economic Sectors:
- Private Sector: Job vacancy rate of 3.4%.
- Public Sector: Job vacancy rate of 2.3%.

Summary:

The first quarter of 2024 saw a significant rise in job vacancies, with notable sector-specific and enterprise size variations. The private sector continues to dominate the job market, with the highest vacancy rates observed in the information and communication sector and medium-sized enterprises. This data provides a clear picture of labor demand, highlighting areas of high vacancy rates and potential labor shortages.

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Gap Between PL And PN Down To 23,000 Votes (So Far)

Jun 14 2024

As vote counting for Malta’s local council elections enters its final day, Labour has lost over 11,000 votes compared to 2019, narrowing the gap between the parties to 23,000 votes.

This translates to a 13% gap, down from 18% in 2019. The gap is expected to shrink further, with many PN-leaning towns yet to be called.

Labour’s losses have been matched by gains for both the PN and independent or third-party candidates. Of the 68 councils, 44 have been counted so far, with PN gaining 6,500 votes and independents gaining 4,200.

Labour’s heaviest losses occurred in key localities like Żebbuġ, Birkirkara, Marsaxlokk, Pietá, and Xagħra.

PN’s gains, though modest, have been significant in Pietá, Pembroke, and St Paul’s Bay. Labour holds the majority in 27 councils, PN in 13, including Msida and San Ġwann, while four councils are deadlocked.

PN has increased its seat tally by 14, now holding 134 seats, with independents and third-parties holding five more seats than in the previous term. Labour has dropped 11 seats since 2019 but still maintains a lead with 174 seats, 30 more than PN.

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Source: Electoral Commission Malta