Quota For Low Skilled Third Country National Workers Proposed

Nov 22 2023

Labour MP Omar Farrugia has put forward a proposal for the introduction of a quota system targeting “low-skilled” third-country national workers in sectors facing an excess supply.

Addressing the Maltese Parliament, Farrugia advocated for a nuanced approach, emphasizing the importance of welcoming high-skilled third-country nationals with professional qualifications while considering a diminishing annual quota for other workers deemed “low-skilled.”

Farrugia stressed the necessity for collaborative discussions among stakeholders and social partners to determine specific numerical quotas. The proposed system aims to strike a balance, enabling businesses to adapt and gradually reduce reliance on what is conventionally labeled as “low-skilled” labour.

Exceptions were noted by Farrugia, specifying that restrictions should not be applicable to critical sectors such as healthcare, caregiving, and other essential areas. In instances where there is an oversupply of workers, Farrugia suggested drawing inspiration from the UK’s points-based immigration system.

The proposal aligns with the Chamber of Commerce’s recent advocacy for a cap on the percentage of third-country nationals employed by businesses, excluding those providing essential services. A survey conducted by the Chamber of SMEs underscored worker shortages as a primary challenge for Maltese businesses.

Farrugia sees this proposed concept, successfully implemented in other countries, as a strategic means to enhance the lives of individuals and sustain businesses while avoiding a detrimental “race to the bottom” scenario.

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Portugal Ran On 100% Renewable Energy For 6 Days Straight

Nov 22 2023

Portugal achieved a groundbreaking feat during the early hours of Halloween, establishing a record-breaking streak of six consecutive days where renewable energy production surpassed the nation’s total consumption.

This record, set between October 31 and November 6, endured for 149 consecutive hours, generating 1,102 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of renewable energy, surpassing the 2019 record of 131 hours.

Despite fossil fuel plants operating during this period, Portugal also set a national record of 131 gas-free hours, exporting excess clean energy to Spain for 95 of those hours.

REN, the company overseeing electricity and gas supply in Portugal, highlighted the country’s commitment to sustainability and the integration of indigenous renewable sources.

Portugal, a trailblazer in renewable energy, pledged carbon neutrality by 2050 in 2016, well ahead of the European Union’s commitment in 2019. Having shut down its coal plants two years ago, Portugal exceeded its goal of eliminating coal as a fuel by 2030, achieving it nine years early.

Wind and solar power are Portugal’s primary renewable sources, with plans to integrate them into hybrid plants for enhanced efficiency. The country aims to decommission all natural gas-fired power plants by 2040 and has outlined ambitious plans to double solar and hydrogen energy capacity.

Portugal’s pursuit of carbon neutrality and sustainable energy practices positions it as a leader in the global transition towards renewable energy.

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World’s Only White Giraffe Fitted With Tracker Due To Poachers

Nov 22 2023

In a bid to protect the world’s only known white giraffe from poachers in north-east Kenya, conservationists equipped the lone male with a GPS tracking device.

The giraffe possesses a rare genetic condition known as leucism, resulting in the loss of skin pigmentation. Following the killing of two family members by poachers in March of 2020, including a female and her seven-month-old calf with similar white skin, the remaining giraffe faces a significant threat.

Rangers from the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy, overseeing wildlife in the region, attached the tracking device to one of the giraffe’s horns on November 8. The device provides hourly updates on the giraffe’s location, aiding rangers in safeguarding the unique animal.

Conservationists and the Kenya Wildlife Society are collaborating to protect this exceptional giraffe and combat the broader decline in giraffe populations, with poaching contributing to a 40% reduction over the last 30 years.

As giraffes are designated as a vulnerable species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, efforts to monitor and protect such rare individuals are crucial for their survival.

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Couples Who Spend Fortune On Wedding More Likely To Divorce

Nov 22 2023

A recent study challenges the prevailing notion that lavish spending on weddings contributes to stronger relationships, proposing that couples adopting a more practical approach may fare better in the long term.

In an era where weddings often come with a hefty price tag, this research aims to disrupt conventional beliefs about the correlation between extravagant ceremonies and enduring marriages.

The study, conducted by economics educators Andrew Francis-Tan and Hugo M Mialon, delved into the wedding and marital experiences of over 3,000 individuals in the United States.

Contrary to the trend of extravagant weddings, the research reveals an unexpected link between higher wedding expenditures and an increased likelihood of divorce.

Findings indicate that, particularly among men, spending between $2,000 and $4,000 on an engagement ring is associated with a 1.3 times higher risk of divorce compared to a more modest expenditure of $500 to $2,000.

Additionally, weddings with a budget under $1,000 exhibit a lower probability of divorce compared to those exceeding $20,000, resulting in a 1.6-fold increase in divorce likelihood among women.

The study also highlights the impact of partners attributing significance to each other’s physical appearance in the decision to marry, noting a connection with shorter marriage durations.

This prompts a reconsideration of what truly matters in the context of marital commitments, challenging the norms of extravagant ceremonies and encouraging a more understated approach.

#MaltaDaily