Shortage of employees due to COVID-19 pandemic an urgent crisis

Aug 5 2021

The Malta Employer’s Association has raised the alarm to address the urgent situation of lack of employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Calling out for the phasing out of the Community Work Scheme as it insists that rising shortage of employees in Malta needs to be addressed quickly, the MEA highlighted how unemployment in Malta is presently low. The number of registered unemployed was falling steadily, with the latest figures published this week show just 1,711 were on the unemployment register in June.

When many returned to their home countries after the pandemic struck, shifting demographics were having a huge impact since Malta sought to close the gap through migrant workers. The association noted that dependence on imported workforces resulted in several issues from an economic standpoint. The MEA proposed a number of short and med-term actions to the authorities to be considered.

The community work scheme helps to keep the unemployment register small. It is operated by the General Workers Union through which a minimum wage and various small jobs in the public sector are provided to otherwise-unemployed people. With around 1,000 employed through the scheme, it has not been short of controversy as it was reported to be plagued with absenteeism. The association stated that we need to ensure that this scheme is not a refuge for privileged individuals wanting to avoid productive employment.

The MEA also stated that foreign workers should be allowed to bring their family members along to Malta. Failure to allow this puts Malta at a disadvantage to attract and keep such workers employed in the country.

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Photo Source: Burst

TikTok goes airborne as American Air offers free in-flight access

Aug 5 2021

TikTok is going airborne as American Air started to offer its customers free in-flight access to the immensely popular social media app. Travellers will be able to scroll through TikTok’s #ForYou page during 30-minute increments completely free.

By enabling airplane mode on their phone, passengers will stay connected to their favourite TikToker and maybe upload some fresh videos as they commence their journeys.

Connecting to the ‘AA-Inflight’ signal, passengers will then select a TikTok ad for free access. This new innovation shows exactly how important social media, specifically apps like TikTok, have become for our lives. TikTok trends and stars will now literally be reaching new heights!

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Photo Source: www.aa.com

‘Frequent power cuts are unacceptable’ says Energy Minister

Aug 5 2021

Asked about the recent power outages, Energy Minister Miriam Dalli described the frequent occurrences of such cuts as unacceptable. Dalli stated that she has instructed Enemalta to address weaknesses in the distribution system and revealed that the often lengthy outages were with the distribution network and not the generation of electricity.

Dalli revealed that it was a question of distribution and not supply. Low voltages in certain areas need to be addressed as quickly as possible, she stated in replying to journalists. The outages occurred during intensely hot time frames due to the heat waves Malta is experiencing. She stated she understood people’s frustration with the situation as backlash over a series of scheduled maintenance works even forced Enemalta to reschedule the works.

Dalli also claimed that direct communication with Enemalta was established in order to resolve the issues. She went on to say that despite the government having invested €130 million into the distribution of energy, this was simply not enough. The Nationalist Party also criticised this factor, stating that the lack of governmental investment only meant darkness and heat.

PN also stated that government should compensate those affected by the power cuts. Spokesperson Ryan Callus stated that apart from having darkness and heat, the government remained silent about the situation.

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Photo Source: Miriam Dalli FB

Booster COVID-19 jabs in September for highly vulnerable groups

Booster jabs in September for highly vulnerable groups

Aug 5 2021

Speaking during a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne revealed that immunocompromised individuals will be receiving their booster COVID-19 vaccine in mid-September. Addressing the vaccine, immunity and the booster shot, Fearne revealed that discussions were under way during the past few days. Experts alongside Fearne looked at four main important considerations.

These included the immunity in a community to analyse whether the defence against COVID-19 decreased after six months. Fearne stated how so far there was no significant decrease in immunity for those who got the jab six months ago. He also highlighted how people who could not develop immunity due to certain conditions were also being considered as well as the vaccine’s effectiveness over the whole population.

The Health Minister stated how social factors are being considered alongside variants of COVID-19 and the threat they pose. The decision taken so far, which can be modified depending on the latest information, is that starting mid-September, immunocompromised individuals will be receiving invites by post with dates, locations and times in order to receive their booster shot. Residents in pension homes will also receive the booster but it will be administer in the residence.

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Photo Source: Sky News