MHRA states tax should be exempt for over-time and part-time employees in tourism industry

MHRA urges government to collaborate more during pandemic

Jul 20 2021

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association stated that overtime and part-time income earned by employees in tourism, travel and hospitality sectors should be tax exempt to address labour shortages. Reacting to complaints in relation to staff shortages upon the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MHRA stated that ‘we need to do all that is needed to attract and retain employees working in the tourism industry even during such difficult times.’

They stated that getting this situation wrong could have serious repercussions, calling on the government to collaborate more with stakeholders in such sectors. This follows especially after Malta was red-listed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, following a spike in daily and active cases. The MHRA stated that, given such a complex situation, any miscommunication will leave a ‘significant negative impact both on the image of the Maltese islands as a destination of choice for tourists, and on the bottom line of hotel and restaurant operations.’

The COVID-19 policy should, according to the MHRA, align itself to the number of infected patients recovering in hospital rather than those being infected and not needing to be admitted to hospital. The government must also pursue its efforts to reduce the number of infected people in order to get back the green status as soon as possible.

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Photo Source: MHRA FB, VacancyCentre

217 COVID-19 cases registered with 3 recoveries

Jul 20 2021

Malta has registered 217 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours from 4,091 swab tests, while 3 patients have recovered. No deaths were registered in the past 24 hours. This information was announced by the official Facebook page of Malta’s Ministry for Health.

As of Monday 19th July 2021, 728,106 vaccine doses were administered of which 386,328 were 1st doses. 359,042 people are currently fully vaccinated.

To date, Malta has registered 32,833 COVID-19 cases in total, of which: 30,236 have recovered, 420 died and 2177 are still active.

Mater Dei Hospital is currently treating a total of 18 COVID-19 positive patients, 1 of which is in the ITU. Of yesterday’s 146 reported cases, 97 were between ages of 10 and 39. The average age of yesterday’s cases was 28.

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Business aviation groups ask for COVID-19 travel measure reconsideration

Jul 20 2021

The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the Malta Business Aviation Association (MBAA) have asked the Maltese government to reconsider the COVID-19 travel restrictions. They raised strong concerns over the impacts of the new legislation which states that unvaccinated arrivals must undergo a compulsory self-isolation period. The legislation, according to both associations, will have a huge negative impact on the business aviation sector, as well as Malta’s reputation as being reliable to its European counterparts.

A joint statement pointed out how the regulation, apart from having already visible negative impacts, will eventually result in significant loss of jobs and revenues for the Maltese islands. The legislation was deemed disproportionate and unnecessary by the organisations. The MBAA stated it is available meet the Maltese Authorities involved with urgency, in order to find alternative solutions whilst also safeguarding health and rights of all citizens, whether Maltese or overall European.

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Photo Source: Air Malta

Companies consider weekly swab tests for unvaccinated workers

Jul 20 2021

Dozens of Maltese companies are considering the option of requiring unvaccinated employees to undergo weekly COVID-19 tests. According to the Malta Employer’s Association (MEA), employers have been contacting the association for guidance on how to operate the weekly tests and thus encourage the workers to get the jab. This follows APS Bank’s controversial decision to require employees to get vaccinated or undergo weekly PCR tests every Friday or Saturday. Any office hours used would be deducted from a staff member’s vacation leave.

Joseph Farrugia stated that APS was not alone in considering this, confirming the ability of companies to implement such rules. He described the weekly tests as not punishments on individual employees but risk minimisation. ‘The employer and employees all have the right to know the health risks to which they are exposed.’ Since vaccination is a personal choice, employers are within their rights to ask employees to use vacation leave if test appointment fell within work hours, stated Farrugia.

Times of Malta was informed by an employment specialist that requiring staff to be fully vaccinated would be legal if a needs assessment finds public health is seriously a threat. In the case of APS however, they doubted the legality of asking employees to cut into their vacation leave if the test fell within office hours.

APS Bank CEO Marcel Cassar stated that the bank had the duty to continue protecting the health of its workforce of around 550 employees. He stated that the particular situation calls for maturity and responsibility on the part of everyone.

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Photo Source: EndocrineWeb