Any Voluntary Organisation enrolled with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations for more than one year is invited to indicate its interest in participating for the nominations and elections of representatives to the Civil Society Committee. Interested parties are to inform the MCESD Chairperson in writing by not later than 12^th April 2022.

The form together with further details may be obtained by sending an email to info.mcesd@gov.mt

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The Civil Society Committee within MCESD, which meets once a month, yesterday focused on the LCA’s Vision 2024, launched earlier this year.

Mr Mario Fava – the LCA’s President gave an in-depth presentation of what the vision entails, emphasising that residents are at the centre of this vision.

Explaining that the motto behind this vision is ‘Residents First’, he explained that the vision revolves around four main themes: transport and sustainable mobility in the localities; open spaces for social, recreational purposes; smart cities and last but not least protecting the environment.

“For the first time, local councils wanted a vision so that all councils can work in a holistic manner for the good of all residents,” he said.

The four themes include a list of subsections. For instance the Sustainable Mobility plans to include safe ways for residents to do their errands without having to use their private vehicles, which will have a positive impact on the environment, such as walking lanes.

A number of issues were brought up by members of the committee, including the need to supervise works done in localities by contractors such as street cleaning, lack of enforcement, the need for separation of waste by means of bins during feasts for the huge amount of empty bottles, the issue of pigeon droppings which is quite a problem in localities like Floriana and Sliema, a site for motor caravans in Mellieha, among other pertinent issues.

Mr Fava said that when it comes to parking-related problems, the LCA is working in conjunction with Government to emerge with PPP schemes to help solve this ongoing issue.

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The committee put forward suggestions for amendments to the Legal Notice regulating the committee. The Minister and the committee members agreed that the voice of the committee can be enhanced. The minister said he was always available should the committee wish to communicate with him.

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Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses Silvio Schembri and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Carmelo Abela address an MCESD meeting on COVID19 challenges
Sitcen Room, Auberge de Castille

Minister responsible for social dialogue Carmelo Abela, noted that such a meeting emphasises the fact that government considers social dialogue as highly important. Throughout this pandemic, discussions have led to tangible results. Minister Abela added that government has honoured the important agreement reached between the employees’ representatives and employers. He went on to highlight his expectations that – in line with governments efforts to use its resources to safeguard jobs – employers should also strive to do their utmost to achieve this purpose. He also reminded those present that if companies find themselves in difficulty or in case there is the need for changes in work conditions, companies need to first hold discussions with the Department for Industrial and Employment Relations.

Minister Abela expressed his gratitude towards the majority of the companies that are doing their utmost to safeguard the jobs of their employees. He added that abuse by employers will not be tolerated. The agreement with the social partners within MCESD needs to be adhered to throughout this period too and all should make every effort to follow its content. Whilst retaining a sense of responsibility, we should continue to work in favour of this genuine collaboration leading to further collaborations. We are facing this crisis together and together we will manage to get through it. “As a country, we have managed to achieve good results through the input of government, social partners and the civil society”, said the minister. He then added that if we are wise and careful, we will be in a position to build on the good results we have achieved so far. He extended his open invitation for discussion with representatives from social partners and the civil society. “As a government we are ready to listen, and we shall continue to do so. We shall analyse all comments and feedback so that we may address issues in a more effective way”, said Minister Abela.
Minister for Economy, Investment and Small Businesses Silvio Schembri said that this is a challenging period for our country however, the most fundamental aspect is the unity amongst key stakeholders to pull the same rope. Minister Schembri noted that from the very start, the government put forward significant economic support measures aimed at businesses and self-employed to safeguard jobs resulting in Malta being amongst the first states to start issuing disbursements. He remarked that discussions pursued with key stakeholders yielded quite positive results enabling the government to present to the public even better support measures, for three consecutive times.

Minister Schembri said that throughout the transitional period that is the shift from an exit strategy to a restart strategy in order to re-stimulate the economy, the government is going to keep helping businesses thus it is crucial for everyone to work hand in hand during which the government will stand shoulder to shoulder.

The process to re-stimulate the economy will be a gradual one and the economic support measures are not going to be stopped abruptly when businesses reopen but shall remain in place till businesses recover substantially. Amid all this, it is key to keep on working closely together. I thank all stakeholders for their cooperation and input. It is everyone’s merit that we are braving the storm together and bearing positive results, said Minister Schembri.

Through their interventions, the social partners have presented their comments, concerns and issues they are currently facing in relation to the implementation of the third financial aid package announced by government. Minister Abela and Minister Schembri both remarked that they had noted the comments. They encouraged more collaborative work in order to be able to find possible solutions, adding that government is open for discussion to be able to receive feedback, analyse and take the necessary action.

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