Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1188980
NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 DECEMBER 2019 THE Malta Employers' Asso- ciation on Friday called on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development to sus- pend its normal agenda and call an urgent meeting to discuss the "unprecedented moral, repu- tational and political crisis" the country is passing through and its possible ramifications on the country. The association reiterated its view that the avalanche of events of the past few days can have serious repercussions on society. "Besides the negative eco- nomic implications of the cur- rent situation, and its possible impact on investment and jobs, the mounting political tension has polarised the people and plunged the country into social unrest," it said, while appealing for a return to normalcy. "Malta's international repu- tation is severely damaged. The incident whereby Maltese and international journalists were locked in a room in the Prime Minister's premises and watched over by thugs is repre- hensible and betrays a degenera- tion of our democratic creden- tials," it said. It said there is a growing lack of confidence in the political class among the public that is equally shared by the business community. Meanwhile, the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners said Malta's reputation as an emerging international finan- cial services centre has taken a severe bruising in spite of all the hard work industry players and practitioners have put into building this industry over a number of decades. "The IFSP expects our soci- ety's leaders and institutions to shoulder their responsibilities without further delay and to act with integrity in full respect of the rule of law. "We call upon all those in posi- tions of responsibility and lead- ership to swiftly do the right thing in the national interest," it said. The IFSP said any person who has a conflict of interest as a re- sult of close ties to anyone else who is suspected or alleged to be involved in the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, in money laundering, abuse of public office, or in corruption, is unable to continue to properly exercise any public office role. "No one is above the law, and the IFSP believes that the in- stitutions of the country need to be allowed to perform their functions without any undue in- fluence by conflicted persons," it added. It said that trust and good reputation are crucial in entic- ing the establishment of inter- national businesses and foreign direct investment. "Trust and good reputation are crucial in enticing the establish- ment of international businesses and foreign direct investment. That trust can only be achieved and maintained through integ- rity of the highest calibre from all, starting with the country's leadership and continuing to every citizen. This means the country needs a culture of do- ing the right thing, within the parameters of the law, and in accordance with the highest in- dustry standards…. "The IFSP emphasises the ur- gent imperative to rebuild the country's reputation while fo- cussing on making the neces- sary changes to the country's institutions by introducing all the checks and balances which our society expects and deserves such that what has happened will never again repeat itself. The country must act fast." Employers want discussions on crisis MediaToday Co Ltd Vjal ir-Rihan San Gwann SGN 9016 Tel. 21382741 www.businesstoday.com.mt bt@mediatoday.com.mt because business deserves better