Protest for better work-life balance takes to Valletta streets

Oct 4 2022

A protest held by various civil societies and activists took to the streets of Valletta to protest for improvements to the Work-Life balance law.

Stating that it needs revision due to several inadequacies, the protesters expressed their disappointment that throughout three years from the 2019 directive approval, the government did not consult with civil society.

The law had come into effect in August of this year due to the EU’s effort to improve work-life balance for parents, carers and other workers.

The protesters, comprised of members from Moviment Graffiti, Malta Women’s Lobby, MGRM, National Parents Society of Persons with Disability and Women’s Rights Foundation among others, had various proposals for the authorities in question.

The protesters called for a better remuneration of parental leave, carer’s leave and an extension to the duration and flexibility of parental leave.

The protesters also highlighted the need for better guidelines for flexible work arrangements. ‘This law affects many workers who will continue to find it difficult to combine their work and caring responsibilities.’

The organisations sent a letter to parliamentary secretary Dr Andy Ellul in August who, despite disagreeing with many points, said that the government intends to build on measures such as these to improve quality of life.

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Photo Source: Moviment Graffiti

Jade England addresses PN rally against rising cost of living

Oct 3 2022

Youth activist Jade England addressed a crowd of protesters yesterday in Valletta, organised by the Nationalist Party, to rally agains the rising cost of living.

The young England had a message to Prime Minister Robert Abela, telling him that there are clear studies which show that the Maltese youth no longer feel comfortable living in their country.

She also highlighted the cost of living which is sky-rocketing and leading to various citizens living all over the island to suffer from pay check to pay check.

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England also pointed out the cutting of funds going towards the university, saying that this proves how Abela and his administration are denying youth the possibility of growing and advancing in society.

More sexual misconduct allegations against coach Mangia hail from Romania

Oct 3 2022

Currently suspended football national team coach Devis Mangia is currently facing more sexual misconduct allegations, this time hailing from Romania.

Mangia had coached in Romania before Malta, and a mother of footballer Razvan Popa told GSP LIVE that her son was sexually harassed by the coach whilst he coached in League 1 at Craiova University.

The accusations came through Gazeta Sporturilor on Monday, claiming that Mangia told her son to watch a pornographic movie together before starting to masturbate in front of him.

Alexandra, Razvan’s mother, told reporters that her son underwent a deep depression after being sexually harassed by the coach and it forced him to terminate his football career early.

Mangia coached at CSU Craiova between 2017 and 2019, going to win the Romanian Cup in the 2018/19 season. Having denied accusations of misconduct after the board of the Malta Football Association asked its Safeguarding Board to investigate, Mangia did not yet comment on these new revelations.

Before this revelation, two local players came out with sexual accusations against Mangia.

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Crucial resignations at St Albert continues to impact staff morale

Oct 3 2022

Continuing the update releases of St Albert the Great College, sources have revealed that two crucial resignations have taken place as students, staff and MUT members attempt to continue the first few weeks of school following the letting go of previous head Mario Mallia.

A history teacher at the school, Bernard Cauchi, revealed on a Facebook post that a teacher and a deputy head, Anna Zarb, resigned from their positions.

Cauchi explained that the resignation did not happen due to normal circumstances of teachers and staff switching schools for better opportunities. The resignations happened, he said, due to the tragic and ‘toxic’ situation at St Albert.

Cauchi said that through these indirectly forced resignations, Fr Aaron and the ‘Dominican rule’ makes sure that the school becomes completely theirs. He also said that the inclusivity programmes which were not supposed to be stopped were in fact put on hold.

Cauchi nonetheless thanked the resigned staff for all that they did for the students. He described their resignation as a massive loss for education and even the church in Malta.

Only 1 out of 5 deputy heads remains, sources from the school revealed. The remaining deputy head is under immense pressure to manage the situation at the college. As for the new headmaster, sources have stated that there is a lack in leadership skills and that the situation does not help at all.

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