The storm that the island was hit with over the weekend caused some serious damage to vehicles and the infrastructure of the Cirkewwa Ferry Parking.
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Cars had various parts crushed or broken, sustaining heavy damage as the sea and wind carried with it debris and rocks from around the area.
Even the barriers surrounding the parking zone were no match for the heavy weather patterns as they tore off the barriers from the concrete.
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Official data reveals that Malta has a substantial foreign workforce, with Indian nationals leading the count at 13,158 employees as of July 2023.
This information, disclosed by Finance Minister Clyde Caruana in response to a parliamentary question posed by PN MP Graziella Galea, positions India as the dominant contributor to Malta’s foreign labor force. Italy follows with 11,566 workers, and the Philippines, Nepal, and the United Kingdom complete the top five.
A diverse range of nationalities contributes to Malta’s workforce, with countries such as Serbia, Colombia, and Albania featuring prominently.
As of July, the Maltese economy employed 37,224 EU, EEA, and EFTA nationals, alongside 68,775 third-country nationals, totalling 105,999 foreign workers. This signifies a substantial increase from the 2021 figures, with nearly 30,000 more individuals, reflecting the continued growth of Malta’s foreign workforce.
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In response to a parliamentary question, Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Byron Camilleri provided insights into Malta’s efforts to address irregular immigration over the past year.
He revealed that in 2023, 380 irregular immigrants were rescued by the Armed Forces, with 315 repatriated and 159 relocated to other European countries. These figures signify a net decrease in the number of irregular immigrants in Malta, indicating a departure exceeding arrivals.
Simultaneously, 1,391 individuals from third countries, irregularly residing in Malta, were repatriated or relocated to authorized countries. Minister Camilleri emphasized ongoing initiatives to reform the irregular immigration system, involving legislative changes and systematic improvements at both local and international levels.
Furthermore, the establishment of the Returns Unit within the Ministry for Home Affairs was highlighted, focusing on facilitating the return of individuals to their home countries if they do not require protection in Malta.
The minister underscored the government’s commitment to managing irregular immigration without adverse impacts on surrounding communities, pointing to extensive work in immigrant centres.
Additionally, the response addressed changes made to establish a proper protection system in Malta. Legislative amendments, investments in the asylum process, and a reduction in pending applications were outlined as key elements in this endeavour.
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Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition Leader Bernard Grech participated in the inaugural court hearing on Monday regarding the Opposition’s pursuit to recover funds allegedly “defrauded” by Steward Healthcare in the hospital deal.
Last year, Grech and Nationalist MP Adrian Delia initiated legal action against present and former government officials involved in hospital privatisation, urging the State Advocate’s involvement.
The government, represented by lawyers Chris Cilia, Ian Borg, and Maurizio Cordina, sought permission to intervene in the Opposition’s case against the State Advocate. Grech and Delia’s legal team responded by requesting urgent authorisation to present Delia’s affidavit. State Advocate lawyer James D’Agostino objected, proposing a deferral of evidence presentation until the matter of government intervention is resolved.
Justice Giovanni Grixti upheld this decision, scheduling oral submissions from all parties for the following Monday, deferring further proceedings.
During the hearing, Grech and Delia’s lawyer, Edward deBono, suggested that Judge Grixti disclose his family connection to the late consultant surgeon Charles Grixti, involved in the due diligence assessment of the hospitals. Despite acknowledging the relationship and offering recusal options, all parties expressed confidence in Judge Grixti, allowing the case to proceed under his jurisdiction.
Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech and MP Adrian Delia are pushing for State Advocate intervention to recover €400 million from Vitals and Steward. Grech accuses Prime Minister Robert Abela of delaying the revelation of the truth regarding hospital deals. Concerns about government intervention impacting independence have been raised. Court proceedings continue, with potential implications for international arbitration.
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