The newly launched Employment Agencies Business Section within the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry strongly condemns levying fees from candidates looking for employment. Section 8e of the law clearly states that the Director of Labour may refuse an application for a licence or revoke a licence if an agency charged any fees or demanded any payment from applicants for employment.
The Chairperson of the section, Mr Lawrence Zammit, said that law enforcement in the area of private employment services is sorely lacking and The Malta Chamber’s objective is to ensure a level playing field in the market and an upgrade in the quality of service delivered to employers and job seekers.
Recent reports in the media have reported cases of candidates being charged fees to secure employment, a practice which is abusive and dilutes the good work carried out by numerous law-abiding operators.
The Malta Chamber’s business section calls on the relevant authorities to better resource the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations to enable it to step up enforcement, to investigate such alleged abusive practices, to issue an updated list of licensed agencies and to ensure public transparency with the most up-to-date information.
“The commitment to working together on tackling climate change is driven by the challenges and experienced we’ve endured over the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Marisa Xuereb, President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry during a webinar organised by CORE Platform entitled ‘How can the EU drive a post COVID Recovery?’
Marisa Xuereb noted that this ‘great reset’ brought along a much-needed shift in mindset both locally and internationally. “Although the EU is setting out plans to tackle climate change issues unless funds are allocated towards measurable objectives, an end goal might not be reached,” said Ms Xuereb.
The President of the Malta Chamber said that as with COVID, the EU is as successful as its weakest link and assistance must be provided on a case-by-case basis to ensure that the common goal is reached successfully.
In her intervention, Marisa Xuereb noted that the four main pillars that can drive such change in the context of smart investment are quality of buildings, waste management, sources of energy and decarbonisation of mobility. “As Malta’s leading voice of business, we greatly encourage all businesses to strategise their investment plans and prioritise these elements to truly bring forward this much-needed change,” said Xuereb.
While referring to The Malta Chamber’s recommendations for a Smart and Sustainable Island, President Xuereb explained how The Chamber was always a firm believer in technology and innovation as drivers towards an enhanced future. “Digitalisation can now more than ever enable more effective procedures in an array of sectors. The wave of change that was brought forward due to COVID should be the primary motivator that allows us to re-think the way forward for the years ahead,” concluded Marisa Xuereb.
The panel of speakers included Ms Helga Ellul (President, CORE Platform), Ms Abigail Mamo (CEO, Malta Chamber of SMEs), Ms Doris Sammut Bonnici (Vice-President, Malta Employers’ Association), Ms Claudia Taylor East (Chairperson, SOS Malta) and Mr Joe Tanti (CEO, Malta Business Bureau).
Atlas Insurance was the sponsor of the Digital Marketing Innovation Award, which was awarded to Candid! during the JAYE (Junior Achievement Young Enterprise) Finals and Awards Night which was held on 9 May.
Candid! won the award for their exceptional performance in the field of digital marketing innovation, which today is considered a crucial element in any successful business’ strategy. This young enterprise group is made up of four students from St. Aloysius College, who sought to make a sustainable difference by introducing Malta’s first-ever biodegradable phone cover.
Atlas Insurance congratulates Candid! as well as all the winners at this year’s JAYE Finals and Awards Night.
Atlas Insurance has been supporting JAYE since 2013. Earlier this year David Cassar, Business Development & Marketing Manager at Atlas Insurance, provided specialised workshops to participating students about the importance of market research as well as the ever-growing, multi-faceted aspects of digital marketing.
David Cassar noted how Atlas Insurance made it a point to support youths achieve their full potential, in their personal journeys towards becoming successful and upstanding citizens tomorrow. He said that the sponsorship of one of JAYE’s awards is one of several youth support programmes Atlas has in place. He referred to a host of internships offered by Atlas Insurance which help bolster students’ professional and personal careers, as well as The Atlas Youth Athlete of the month which recognises the exceptional performances of young sportspersons.
The Digital Marketing Innovation Award was sponsored and awarded by Atlas Insurance PCC Limited. It formed part of the JAYE Finals & Awards Night which were the culmination of an 8-month entrepreneurial journey for students participating in the post-secondary Company Programme and tertiary level StartUp Programme.
“Awards nights such as these are imperative in celebrating talent, initiatives, ideas, resilience and teamwork among young people, the business leaders of tomorrow,” said Marisa Xuereb, President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry during the JAYE Malta Finals and Awards Night 2021.
While congratulating the winners, the President of the Malta Chamber outlined how inspirational these young achievers have been in showcasing tremendous perseverance. In this context, Ms. Xuereb announced that all the members of the winning teams will receive a complimentary one-year membership at The Malta Chamber.
“This will provide the teams behind Candid! and SILENTSAVE with a great opportunity to inspire and contribute to the future of The Malta Chamber,” said the President of Malta’s foremost voice of business.
Marisa Xuereb, former JAYE alumni and winner of the company of the year award in 1995, noted how the ideas presented during the event were a true showcase of entrepreneurship, especially during these challenging times.
Chris Vassallo Cesareo, Deputy President of The Malta Chamber and JAYE Malta Foundation Chairperson, observed the incredible determination that these up-and-coming entrepreneurs have shown. “During these unprecedented times, the JAYE experience has become even more invaluable in providing alumni with a platform on which they can develop their skills and reach their full potential,” he said.
Noting the conclusions reached by the NAO report on the contract awarded to the JCL and MHC Consortium, The Malta Chamber insists on full transparency in public procurement and on the importance of observing good governance principles as well as providing an equal playing field for all at all times.
As public procurement accounts for a substantial portion of the taxpayers’ money, governments are expected to carry it out efficiently and with high standards of conduct to ensure high quality of service delivery and safeguard the public interest.
Earlier this year, The Malta Chamber published its Report on Public Procurement Reform listing 35 recommendations which ensure that the procurement process promotes ethical business and that the process is free from impropriety. These include:
1. the mandatory publication of a procurement outlook every 6 months in advance,
2. the implementation of a public Contract Register which would also minute all modifications post-award, as well as
3. the widening of the scope of PCRB’s competence to include scrutiny of all direct orders.
Public procurement represents an important and significant component of business opportunities. The Malta Chamber will continue advocating for the implementation of its Public Procurement Reform 2021 recommendations as it ensures a sound market based on ethical standards and fair competitivity.
The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry acknowledges the disappointment of the tourism industry after Malta did not make it in the UK’s green travel list.
Worth noting that Malta came a long way in terms of reducing case numbers in a relatively short span of time. Although there’s a sense of frustration and disappointment, it is worth highlighting that when considering the current number of cases per 100,000, Malta is only marginally higher than Portugal that made it on the UK list. The Malta Chamber said that other countries such as Germany have already declared Malta to be no longer a Covid-19 risk area.
The Malta Chamber believes that this bodes well for the addition of Malta to the UK’s green list at the earliest opportunity. It is therefore imperative that we remain focused on reducing case numbers further and on achieving herd immunity through vaccination as quickly as possible.
Malta is well ahead of other EU countries in this respect, and this will ultimately determine not just how quickly we get on the green list, but also our ability to remain there once tourism opens as from the 1st of June.
The Gozo Business Chamber and The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry are concerned with the way development is happening in Gozo. Gozo has a unique character which both Chambers believe has immense potential for a more sustainable economic development and growth that respects the island’s culture and authenticity.
The present rate of over development fuelled by existing policies needs to be rethought. Any development needs to be taken within the context where it is taking place, and this includes our rural communities and towns. To this end both Chambers call for established design guidelines which respect the context of our towns and villages. The design of any proposed development needs to be seriously considered and evaluated within the context of the streetscape to ensure that it gives a positive contribution to the local distinctiveness. Clear design guidelines respecting the context of our towns and villages complemented by a well thought out aesthetics policy are required. In this sense Gozo can serve as a test bed where policies can then be deployed at a national level.
There also needs to be a coherent application and interpretation of policies. Policies must be interpreted within their wider context rather than a pick-and-choose approach of abstracts from one policy or another. We are seeing the demolition of terraced houses and buildings which merit conservation to be replaced with apartment blocks, whilst the character of Gozo’s urban streetscapes and other aspects such as their proximity to urban conservation areas and outside development zones are being completely ignored.
During a joint media conference at the Cittadella, the President of the Gozo Business Chamber, Joseph Borg highlighted that the Chamber is in favour of sustainable development which promotes quality construction that embellishes the environment and not abuses it. This should be done within the context of Gozo achieving carbon neutrality prior to Malta. “We need to stop, think and plan in the long term” said Joseph Borg, indicating that this is a process which should involve architects, developers and policy makers.
In this context, both Chambers said that the property and construction industry should be incentivised to move towards more sustainable development. The protection of Gozo’s green belts, and a thoughtful and judicious use of what is permissible on outside development zones, including a genuine use of such land when needed, should seriously be considered during the evaluation process of any development.
“Gozo has a unique character. Its uniqueness contributes directly to our competitiveness and it is our duty to ensure that the industry develops in a way which takes into account the unique fabric and character of our islands, the challenges posed by climate change, and the well-being of the community at large” the President of the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, Marisa Xuereb said.
Both Chamber representatives said that the strategic direction for Gozo should be based on sustainable forms of tourism and economic development. They called on authorities to incentivise emerging economic sectors related to digitalisation and the green economy. Such economic opportunities can help Gozo reach carbon neutrality prior to Malta.
Both Chambers believe that Gozo can thrive in many ways. Development should serve the common good and create real economic value which does not impinge on the quality of life.
Atlas Insurance underlined the various benefits of Corporate Wellness during a webinar which was organised in collaboration with the Health and Wellness Committee of the Malta Chamber on 6 May.
The event, which was addressed by leading professionals in the field, was chaired by Catherine Calleja, Managing Director at Atlas Healthcare and Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee.
The aim of the programme was to show that wellness has a measurable effect on engagement and productivity at work. Cathy Peric, a psychotherapist with a focus on resilience, focused on particular aspects of wellness and how they have been shown to improve work performance and create a safe place for employees to flourish. Kerry Paterson, from ICAS International followed up with a very practical demonstration on how to set up a successful wellness programme at work and measure results. The final speaker was Ian Pisani, Director of J&C Pisani and a member of the Health and Wellness Committee, who focused on the particular wellness challenges in a family business environment and mitigation strategies to thrive in the family business paradigm.
Concluding the webinar, Catherine Calleja said “We truly believe that employee wellness has a direct contribution to the success of any venture and as such should be a priority for any employer or leader.”
She noted how Atlas Healthcare had partnered with ICAS International, which provides unlimited telephone access to psychologists for employees and their families, as well as local face to face counselling, legal and financial helplines and support for HR and line managers.
Atlas Healthcare Insurance Agency Ltd is authorised under the Insurance Distribution Act to act as Enrolled Insurance Agents for Atlas Insurance PCC Limited for general insurance business. Both entities are regulated by the MFSA.
Earlier today, The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry held a virtual meeting with the Hon Prime Minister Dr Abela to introduce the new Board of Management and put forward its priorities for the coming months. The Minister for Economy, Hon Silvio Schembri was also present.
The Malta Chamber President Marisa Xuereb raised several issues which are impacting business and how they can be addressed to fuel recovery and encourage growth. The President spoke on the challenges and uncertainty being faced by a number of economic sectors such as tourism, arts, entertainment, elderly care and retail. Better access to finance and clarity on the future of the wage supplement would facilitate business planning and investment. Reference was made to public procurement and the need to enhance transparency and ensure a level playing field.
Internationalisation needs to be given priority as the principal route to growth. A concerted effort to identify markets that offer real potential for local businesses as well as the establishment of a Free Trade Zone is key to success. Equally important is getting the nation’s branding right particularly as Malta emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to rebuild its economy and international reputation.
The Malta Chamber recommended revisiting the current corporate tax framework to help local business become more competitive in a globalised environment. The importance of incentivising private investment in infrastructural and green economy projects was highlighted in pursuing the country’s ambitions to improve quality of life.
The Malta Chamber presented its policy paper in response to the public consultation on the proposed Recreational Cannabis Reform.
The meeting was attended by Deputy President Mr Christopher Vassallo Cesareo, Vice-Presidents Mr Nicholas Xuereb and Ms Liz Barbaro Sant, Officers Mr Norman Aquilina, Mr Mark Bajada and Mr Ian Casolani, and new CEO Dr Marthese Portelli.
