One Year Of Paid Leave For Parents Proposed By PN

Jan 31 2025

The Partit Nazzjonalista (PN) is proposing a bold set of reforms aimed at improving the work-family balance for Maltese and Gozitan families.

The party’s strategy focuses on expanding parental leave, government-paid leave for all workers, and support for childcare and remote working.

One of the key proposals is the expansion of parental leave. Paternity leave will increase from 10 to 15 days to better recognise the growing role of fathers in childcare.

Parental leave will be extended from 8 to 28 weeks, equally divided between both parents and non-transferable, promoting shared responsibility.

Maternity leave will also increase from 18 to 24 weeks, with the last six weeks transferable to the other parent if they wish.

Together, maternity and parental leave would provide families with a total of one full year of paid leave, offering essential flexibility.

In addition, the PN proposes fully government-funded parental, paternity, and maternity leave for all workers, including self-employed individuals.

Payments for parental leave will be at the level of the average salary, significantly higher than the current sick leave rate, and the government will cover the costs to ease the financial burden on employers and businesses.

To further support families, the PN recommends providing financial assistance to parents who choose to stay at home with their children during the second year after birth.

It also suggests offering tax credits to businesses that implement remote working models and encouraging more companies to adopt flexible work policies to boost productivity and employee well-being.

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Boyfriend Of Claudia Chessa Speaks Out After Paceville Fall

Jan 31 2025

Alessio Lupo Rivera, the 27-year-old boyfriend of 18-year-old Claudia Chessa, who fell from a fourth-floor hotel balcony in Paceville last week, described their relationship as “toxic” and admitted frequent arguments.

Rivera, a DJ known as ‘Alewolf’, pleaded guilty to charges of slight bodily harm, causing fear of violence, and drug possession, for which he was fined €250. After his arraignment, he returned to Italy, where authorities are also investigating the incident.

Claudia, from Arzachena (Sassari), is not in life-threatening danger despite suffering serious spinal injuries from the fall.

Her fall from around twelve meters was softened by an awning, and she reassured friends through an Instagram post, calling it a “miracle”.

Claudia, who will undergo surgery on her back, explained to authorities that she jumped to escape Rivera’s aggression, not because of a simple argument.

Her father, Silvano Chessa, insists that Claudia was fleeing violence, having been hit, bitten, and punched by Rivera, and she had previously been slapped by him during another argument. Surveillance footage shows her attempting to escape.

Rivera claims the incident was a result of frequent jealousy-fuelled arguments and denied pushing her, stating she had previously threatened self-harm. Both Maltese and Italian authorities are investigating the case.

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Malta Chamber Proposes Parliamentary Reforms

Jan 31 2025

During the launch of two policy publications authored by David Spiteri Gingell, Chris Vassallo Cesareo, President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry, emphasized that accountability and transparency are crucial for good governance in any thriving democracy. The publications, titled A Modern Framework for Members of Parliament for 2025 and Beyond and A New Approach to Malta’s Elections, address the size of parliament and propose a fairer remuneration system for MPs. These reports reflect a call for reform to improve Malta’s democratic framework.

The Malta Chamber President stressed that Members of Parliament (MPs) play a critical role in the democratic system, acting as representatives of the people. Their work is essential for upholding public interests through diligence and independence. Head of Policy, Kevin Mizzi, expanded on the reports’ recommendations, asserting that these are not isolated fixes but part of a broader, comprehensive reform that seeks to tackle institutional weaknesses and the cultural challenges that contribute to unethical behavior and disengagement from the political process.

Key proposals in A Modern Framework for Members of Parliament for 2025 and Beyond include retaining the Single Transferable Vote system, albeit with adjustments to address existing flaws. The number of MPs would be reduced from 79 to 45, with the number of electoral districts reduced from 13 to 5. Additionally, the proposal suggests raising the national threshold for party representation to 5%, replacing the existing district-based threshold. A major shift would be the removal of co-option, with by-elections to fill vacancies instead. The report also proposes a technical cabinet member system, ensuring that MPs are not surpassed in number and maintaining balance in cabinet appointments.

In A New Approach to Malta’s Elections, key recommendations focus on improving the remuneration system for MPs. It suggests a shift to full-time MPs with a salary structure tied to the Director General salary scale. Basic pay would be set at €42,582, with higher allowances for key roles such as Prime Minister, Minister, and Parliamentary Secretary. MPs would also receive additional benefits, including communications facilities, non-taxable grants for constituency office leases, and support from research assistants. The report calls for the establishment of a House Parliamentary Research Service, ensuring that MPs have the resources they need to perform their duties effectively.

The documents also propose improvements to pension systems, public disclosure of compensation packages, and the creation of a Commission appointed by the President to review conditions at the beginning of each legislative term. They build upon earlier Chamber reports from 2020 and 2022, reinforcing the need for reforms that balance fair remuneration with maintaining public trust.

Ultimately, these reports advocate for changes that will enhance the quality of political governance in Malta. They argue that reforms to parliamentary conditions must go hand in hand with broader improvements to political culture, ensuring that MPs are adequately supported while being held accountable to the public.

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Hats & Shades School Day To Raise Money For Len & Jacob

Jan 31 2025

Naxxar’s MRC Middle School organised a ‘Hats and Shades’ fundraising event to raise money for the Len and Jacob Wellness Fund.

The event was an absolute success, as the school community came with funky hats and cool shades, with everyone getting very creative with their displays.

‘Through your generosity and enthusiasm, we raised valuable funds for Len and Jacob Wellness Fund, spreading awareness and support in the best way possible.’

Len and Jacob were diagnosed in 2022 with the rare metabolic degenerative disease referred to as Zellweger.

They and their loved ones have since used their platforms to raise awareness and funds for the therapy needed to combat the disease.

#MaltaDaily