Teacher Strike On 27th November Due To Insulting Pay Offers

Nov 10 2023

Educators from both State and Church schools in Malta are set to strike on November 27, engaging in a pay dispute with the government, as announced by the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT).

The union, led by Marco Bonnici, expressed dissatisfaction with what they deemed two “insulting” financial packages from the government.

The strike is anticipated to impact primary, secondary, and sixth form schools under state or Church administration, excluding Junior College under the University of Malta.

Bonnici asserted that the strike and directives were prompted by the government’s failure to fulfil its electoral promise of significantly enhancing educators’ working conditions.

The union president urged educators to follow the directives, emphasizing the critical moment to use industrial action to voice concerns. The government on its part criticized the directives as inappropriate and unfair to students and families.

The last teacher strike in Malta occurred in January 2021 during the pandemic, revolving around disputes related to online lessons. Negotiations for a new collective agreement, initiated in December 2022, have yet to yield a resolution.

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6.5 Million Tallinja Passengers In October: Breaks Previous Record

Nov 10 2023

In October 2023, Malta Public Transport achieved a significant milestone by carrying 6.5 million passengers by bus, surpassing the previous record of 6.1 million registered in August 2023.

This increase in passenger numbers is attributed to the recent investment in 30 new fully electric buses to the company’s bus fleet.

Since the launch of these 30 electric buses in September 2023, Malta Public Transport has been contracted to operate an additional 410 daily bus trips. This expansion has resulted in increased frequencies and enhanced capacity on 16 key routes connecting high-passenger-demand localities across Malta. All the new electric buses have zero pipe-tail emissions, which is expected to lead to an annual reduction of over 1,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to Malta’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.

The new electric buses are equipped with contemporary amenities, including accessibility features, air conditioning, USB chargers, and free Wi-Fi. These features not only enhance the passenger experience but also provide a quieter and smoother ride.

Commenting on these developments, Konrad Pulè, General Manager of Malta Public Transport stated, “We are pleased to witness the positive impact our recent investments have had on our passenger numbers and the mobility in Malta. This is part of our commitment to continue improving our bus service for everyone’s benefit in Malta and Gozo.”

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Ed Sheeran Sends Message Ahead Of Malta Concert

Nov 10 2023

A video uploaded to VisitMalta and greatt’s social media has Ed Sheeran himself sending a message to all Maltese fans ahead of his concert in June of next year.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by greatt (@greatt.mt)

Sheeran says that he’ll be performing his first ever show in our ‘beautiful home’ and he is excited to meet everyone attending.

Will you be going to the concert?

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€311 Million Spent By Tourists In Malta In September 2023

Nov 10 2023

In September 2023, the total number of inbound tourists reached an estimated 299,190, reflecting a substantial 20.2% increase compared to the same month in 2022.

Among these, 276,413 visited Malta for leisure, while 13,969 came for business purposes. The majority of inbound tourists fell within the 25-44 age group (38.9%), followed by the 45-64 age bracket (28.1%). Residents from Italy, the United Kingdom, and France constituted 47.4% of the total inbound tourist population.

The total nights spent by tourists increased by 8.0% compared to September 2022, exceeding 2.1 million nights. Notably, 82.5% of guest nights were spent in rented accommodation establishments.

The average length of stay for inbound tourists was 7.2 nights. The total tourist expenditure for the month reached nearly €311 million, indicating a significant 21.9% increase from September 2022. On average, tourists spent €144.2 per night.

For the first three quarters of 2023, inbound tourists numbered 2,285,450, marking a substantial 31.6% increase over the same period in 2022. The total nights spent rose by 22.4%, surpassing 15.7 million nights. Overall, tourist expenditure amounted to €2.1 billion, reflecting a notable 33.9% increase from 2022, with expenditure per capita rising to €908 from €893 in 2022.

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