Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1029140
OPINION maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 19 SEPTEMBER 2018 8 PROPERTY prices in Malta have shot up more than in any other country in the world, a new report has found. According to a Knight Frank LLP Global House Price Index, published almost a week ago, Malta has edged out Hong Kong and has claimed the prize for the territory or country with the highest residential price gains in the last quarter. Based on figures taken from Malta's own Central Bank, property prices on the island rose some 17% in the three months leading up to June 2018, when compared to the same period in 2017. This news is shocking for every citizen, but more so for young people who don't yet own property and who are increasingly feeling like they can never do so. This is the news that was reported in the previous days and that was discussed by many, even on social media. In another interview with Yana Mintoff, the Times of Malta reported that, it is true that Malta's economy is booming, but beneath the positive sheen of record levels of employment, lays a darker reality that often goes ignored. This is the crux of the issue that the Maltese society is currently facing. Our economy is built on cheap labour and precarious work and this is not healthy. It is not good for the workers and it is not good for society as a whole. In recent news Malta's bishops also have urged politicians to set aside partisan differences and work together to find solutions to tame a housing crisis that they believe is becoming a "social emergency". As MZPN, we have recently published a document that clearly states that the lack of government investment in social housing is a major issue. During the last legislature, this issue was not made a priority, so it really comes as no surprise that this legislature is no different. "Economic growth through population increase is not sustainable". In a recent discussion about the 2018 amendments to the Housing Decontrol Ordinance, PN shadow minister for the economy Kristy Debono and MP Ivan Bartolo spoke about how there is currently a higher risk of landlords increasing rent prices or removing tenants entirely. "The government has decided to tackle economic problems by increasing the country's population instead of being 'cutting-edge' and properly looking at the problems at hand… Around 10,000 people migrate to Malta each year. This adds up to 5% of Malta's working population being foreigners", they said. Recently, various unions have published reports tackling the current property issue in Malta. The General Workers' Union, not long ago published a document regarding rent and property, as well as a report from the Malta Developers Association. As MZPN we are appealing to the decision makers to ensure that development for government housing would take place on already developed land, and not on ODZ, as seems to be a recent trend. In the case of abandoned buildings, we believe that the Housing Authority should intervene in certain situations. We also believe that there should be a renting authority, which would have the function of safeguarding both landlords and tenants. We analysed the NSO statistics directly relevant to this subject and they provided us with a clear image with the ratio of this contained Maltese situation. The number of people taking loans for homes is on the rise; the number of people looking for a residence is increasing too; the number of people who do not afford rent is increasing. In recent news, we saw a number of reports from almost all media agencies across the whole of the nation, regarding cases of people living in the streets, of others living in garages and stores, and others living in only one room per family. This is the quality of life afforded to certain individuals within Malta, and while homelessness is not a new concept, it does seem to be becoming more prevalant. MZPN is working hard to put forward proposals and ideas to solve these problems that our country is facing. As MZPN, and as a nation we must make a greater effort to avoid being conquered by a greedy culture that only seeks profit, and be prepared to make less lucrative choices in order to help those who are in difficulty. James Aaron Ellul is Social Policy Coor- dinator and Carina Suda is Treasurer of the Moviment Zghazagh Partit Nazzjon- alista (MZPN) The National Youth Council (KNZ) and its member organisations have been in- vited to submit opinion articles on top- ics affecting youths today. The contents of the article do not necessarily ref lect the opinion of the Council A quest to afford the unaffordable Carina Suda and James Aaron Ellul HAVING five national days is absolutely ridiculous. We have been in this pathetic situation for around 30 years now. Many recognise this fact. Around 25 years ago, we at Alternattiva Demokratika had already been vociferous on the fact that Malta should have one unifying national day. Personally, I believe Independence Day is the right one. Political pique, the bi-partisan tribal instinct, lack of real political vision and of true love for our country, childish hardheadedness and sheer stupidity have prevented our political leaders from coming together to overcome the existing differences in the name of the common good. When in Opposition, Joseph Muscat had started harping on the need of a second Republic, which would overhaul our constitution and update it to the exigencies of modern day life. This was a welcome departure from the past behaviour of Maltese political leaders and promised to bring about a breath of fresh air to Maltese politics through the reforms envisaged. Undoubtedly, the debate on having one national day which served to unify the Maltese people would have been one of the mainstays of the proposed constitutional reform. Come 2013 and Joseph Muscat was swept into power with the macroscopic majority of 35,000 votes. True to his word, he immediately embarked on the job of appointing a President of such constitutional convention. The day he appointed him, however, it was evident to one and all, that the Prime Minister's intention was to have the convention scuppered before it could even be set up. In fact, he named as Chair of the proposed Convention the former MP Franco Debono, who had been instrumental in bringing the Gonzi government to its knees. At this point, pride took over and as expected (and cunningly planned by Joseph Muscat) the Nationalists would not accept to participate in constitutional talks presided by the man who was instrumental in knocking out Gonzi and company. And thus, another five years passed in vain, with President Marie-Louise Coleiro trying desperately to get the two parts to work together, but it was all a big useless exercise. In recent days, the debate on one national day for the country has been restarted by PL Councillor Desmond Zammit Marmara'. And many have joined in the debate, including academics Henry Frendo, Dominic Fenech, Joe Pirotta, Oliver Friggieri and the President of the Republic herself. I have no reason to doubt the genuinity of Desmond Zammit Marmara's intentions. I am convinced he really means well. Unfortunately, however, I believe that any debate on Malta's national day at this point in time is completely out of place. Indeed, bringing up the discussion now, after continuous years of total neglect with regards to constitutional and other reforms, is totally mistimed. At the moment, there are issues of much more importance which need to be seen to immediately. Private Maltese land is being expropriated left, right and centre, trees are being uprooted or re-planted in order to make way for wider roads, junctions and what not all over the island, developers are being given a free hand to build in ODZ land, in city cores, on the coast or wherever. Precious arable land, which also constitutes the lifeline for the few dedicated farmers who still till their land, is being taken up by infrastructural projects which tend to privilege car users rather than the ordinary citizen. Tuna ranchers have been given the divine right to occupy our seas and pollute the sea we swim in. Hoteliers, cafe' and restaurant owners are being regaled with permits to occupy our pavements regardless of the citizens who need to walk through them, in particular people with mobility problems, parents pushing pushchairs, people with disabilities, etc. The air pollution resulting from the building mania and from a philosophy which favours cars rather than people is becoming unbearable. With our country's land, air and seas being continuously raped by greedy developers, opening up a discussion on the national day today seems to me simply just a comfortable diversion from the real problems of our daily lives. At the rate by which our quality of life is being daily degraded and abused, we really risk ending up with only one national day. Unfortunately, this would be a national day of mourning for the loss of land, clean seas and clean air for us, your children and future generations. We must roll up our sleeves to ensure that this does not happen. Arnold Cassola is former Alternattiva Demokratika chairman and former secretary general of the European Green Party National days: A mistimed discussion We must make a greater effort to avoid being conquered by a greedy culture that only seeks profit, and be prepared to make less lucrative choices in order to help those who are in difficulty Arnold Cassola