Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1476201
TRUTH IS OF NO COLOUR WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT SUNDAY • 31 JULY 2022 • ISSUE 1187 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY maltatoday and solidarity Cheap fuel stopped for superyacht scroungers NICOLE MEILAK FRAUDULENT labour recruitment in Malta remained a significant con- cern for the US State Department, as flagged in its annual Trafficking in People report for 2022. The report points to illegal recruit- ment fees, the nature of work permits, and a lack of oversight on massage parlours as areas of concern in Malta's labour market vis-a-vis human traf- ficking. In 2021, Malta's national employ- ment authority reportedly conducted 1,400 routine inspections on employ- ers, with a focus on employment con- tracts and basic employment condi- tions. But government did not report on whether labour inspectors received specialised training to identify traf- ficking victims, identified any traffick- ing victims, or referred any cases for investigation. €1.95 Slow justice is black mark on Maltese fight against human trafficking Human traffic PAGE 3 MATTHEW VELLA SUPERYACHT brokers have been busy firing off calls to the rich owners of some of the largest boats in the Mediterranean Sea, to sail down to Malta and avail them- selves of subsidised diesel fuel for their seacraft. But the government was forced to hit back and stop the sale of this diesel, after millions in eu- ros in diesel subsidies were effec- tively 'lost' to these superyachts over the past months. A new legal notice introduced this week effectively stopped the sale of diesel that is not priced at market rates to superyachts. Over 8% say they agree with abortion, and over 27% agree in 'particular cases' SURVEY PAGE 8 Maltese businesses still think corruption does not go unpunished PAGE 2 Business corruption PAGE 4 mt survey Superyachts attracted to Malta by brokers alerting them to subsidised fuel, force government to stop diesel sales to pleasure- craft industry unless at market rates ABORTION MARIO MALLIA Sacked headmaster who received nationwide support for his dedicate service INTERVIEW MT2 500 Bolt couriers went on without a union 12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 JULY 2022 COMMENT What are we skinning? President George Abela con- veniently booking a trip up to Birmingham, UK coinciden- tally (conveniently?) timed to coincide with the deadline for signing the IVF bill... which task was then promptly executed by his stand-in. Why are we skinning it? Be- cause it is a beautiful demon- stration of the diversity of the human experience. How do you mean? In this case, it's mainly about priorities. You have different priorities to me, and that's okay. It should be, anyway. That's right. So maybe someone other than myself – someone occupying a high-profile but largely ceremonial role within the country's political appara- tus, say – would find the hassle of taking a trip to Birmingham (of ALL places...) the more de- sirable course of action when compared to scribbling one's signature on a piece of paper. But that's just me. Though to be fair, I wouldn't mind skiving work to visit Birmingham. I don't know man, I would probably pick some- where else. Lovely as they are, historic industrial cities aren't exactly my jam. You're forgetting that they're hosting the Commonwealth Games at the moment. I didn't forget. I just didn't know. Maybe the President is just an unabashed sports fan with a penchant for the imperial- ly-created Commonwealth? His 'ethical principles' certainly seem to draw from the same nostalgic wellspring, yes. Shame said principles have led him to make a bit of a mockery of the Constitution as he goes bunburying up to Birmingham. What's that? One of the lead characters in Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest would get out of socially unde- sirable situations by claiming he needs to travel to see his terminally ill friend Bunbury… of course, a fictional creation. That's quite the masterstroke. Rock-solid ethics AND canny intelligence. What more do you want out of a president? Well, the desire to preside over his actual duties with transparency, clarity and efficiency would also be nice. Now you're just being selfish. Let a man live! Do say: "While the President has every right to express his moral and ethical dilemmas on any ongoing political and legal developments in the country, the very nature of his role is to perform duties entrenched in the Constitution, as guided by the country's democratic parliamentary process. So that while sticking to one's princi- ples may seem noble on the face of it, a President's position requires taking the long view." Don't say: "If there's no ethical consumption (or labour) under we Rationing and equity in education DR LARA SAID PGS 12 & 13 The Skinny Malta, shrunk down MICHAEL FALZON One gridlock too many PAGE 7 No 150 – Bunburying in Birmingham JOSANNE CASSAR Was this about insubordination… or a clash over liberal policies? PAGE 6 EDITORIAL George Vella's Constitutional holiday PAGE 2 SAVIOUR BALZAN What the sacking of Mario Mallia tells us about the Church PAGE 5 Is it fair to hold headteachers in schools and teachers in classrooms accountable for the attainment of pupils in time than for the gains in outcome over time? maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 JULY 2022 CLASSIFIEDS & COMMERCIALS ARTS • TV • WHAT'S ON Nicky Conti Artist maltatoday Get the critical perspective on politics, culture and society Be the first to enjoy our print newspaper with a subscription When you need to decode what politicians are saying, when you want to understand why Malta's crazy construction industry is impacting upon your life, when you need to step out of the social media and understand the world from a different perspective, our journalists and columnists will provide you with expert reporting, analysis and commentary. Order now at maltatoday.uberflip.com