Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1419860
LUKE VELLA IT is open secret that an elec- tion for this year is being se- riously contemplated by the Labour government. Although there has been a lot of beating around the bush on what re- mains the Prime Minister's pre- rogative, a snap election right before Christmas would come to no one's surprise. This week both Prime Minis- ter Robert Abela and the Depu- ty Prime Minister Chris Fearne were evasive over widespread speculation that a pre-Christ- mas election could be in the offing. Speculation on a November election was rekindled following news that a papal visit sched- uled for the end of November had been postponed, ostensibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Debate on whether a Novem- ber election was even possible is down to the fact that Maltese election campaigns tend to gen- erate uncertainty within busi- ness circles, leading to a suspen- sion of major purchases. The director of Malta's Cham- ber of SMEs, Abigail Mamo, agreed that the uncertainty surrounding a possible election during the pre-Christmas retail bonanza, is keeping business- es in limbo and unable to take certain decisions. "Ideally we should have clarity on whether the election will be carried out this year or not. Our preference is that an election is held next year," said Mamo. She said that many business- es had already spoken to the Chamber, having hoped for a strong festive season following a long and difficult pandemic period. "November is a crucial period for businesses due to the Black Friday week, but unfortunately news of an election does disrupt the activity and takes the fo- cus away from people. Election propaganda alienates people and ends up affecting consump- tion. "Ideally, the election would not be held this year. We don't foresee an imminent date. Eco- nomically, it makes more sense to be held in the first quarter of 2022." Mamo said the first quarter of a year following the Christ- mas season tends to be a quiet period for businesses. "We have been hearing about various election dates for so long and it is crucial for us to have a clear answer," she said. Her call for clarity is echoed by Chamber of Commerce presi- dent Marisa Xuereb, who said major businesses are aware that an election disrupts economic activity. But Xuereb remains sceptical of such an unorthodox election date: "No government ever dreams of having an elec- tion in December," she said. Xuereb said businesses plan a whole week of sales in No- vember during the Black Friday week and that uncertainty over a general election during this period would not be in their best interest. "I expect clari- ty from politicians about such matters. Businesses having be- ing dealing with and suffering the effects of various crises in recent years, including political turmoil, the pandemic and now the uncertainty of the election... We expect clarity, and that an election does not keep on loom- ing over our heads. This is un- fair on enterprises." The Malta Employers Associ- ation director Joseph Farrugia also said that business slows down over uncertainty on a forthcoming election. "It is al- ways a prerogative of the Prime Minister to call an election but ideally it is carried out in a slow period for business. The clos- er it is to Christmas, the more damaging it could be". He said he hoped any election should be called as early as pos- sible, or else after January. The owner of a string of enter- tainment outlets, who spoke to MaltaToday on condition of an- onymity, described an election close to December as "problem- atic". "January would be the ideal pe- riod. If it is held close to Christ- mas it could definitely have a negative effect on business... trade is now currently peaking in Valletta and St Julian's, and the winter period is favourable to the entertainment industry. So any election should be held after the holiday season." 4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 17 OCTOBER 2021 NEWS PUBLIC CONSULTATION Submit your opinion or suggestions on the published document proposing an investment of €29 million. EUROPEAN MARITIME, FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE FUND 1. Fostering sustainable fisheries and the restoration and conservation of aquatic biological resources; 2. Fostering sustainable aquaculture activities, and processing and marketing of fisheries and aquaculture products, thus contributing to food security in the Union. Consultation document may be downloaded from: www.eufunds.gov.mt Send your submissions to : consultationemfaf@gov.mt by the 22nd October 2021 EMFAF for Malta 2021-2027 is a programme co-funded by the European Union. European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 Co-financing rate: 80% European Union; 20% National Funds CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Large organisations are al- so expected to have suitable structures that facilitate inter- nal and external reporting by whistleblowers. The EU Directive sets out the requirements for EU members state regulations in relation to the protection of whistleblow- ers and disclosures. The Directive deals with the conditions for protection of whistleblowers; internal, ex- ternal and public disclosure re- porting procedures; establish- ment of competent authorities to receive, give feedback and follow up on reports; and pen- alties imposed on individuals who either hinder or retaliate against the whistleblowers. The law will cover not just the public sector and local coun- cils, but also legal entities in the private sector with more than 50 workers. Currently, in Malta, the Whistleblowers Act applies to government ministries, private companies with over 250 em- ployees together with an annu- al turnover of over €50 million, and NGOs which raise over €500,000 from public collec- tions and other donations. Based on a recent study con- ducted by Transparency In- ternational, 56% of Maltese residents believe corruption cannot be reported without fear of retaliation. Malta to finally transpose EU directive on extended whistleblower protection November election talk has business wary of slowdown