Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1538377
4 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 AUGUST 2025 NEWS MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt juring a man, drink-driving, reckless else. He was also accused of damag- cuti did not contest the validity of the evidence. Moreover, it was noted JobsPlus Permit Number: 698/2025 The Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sports is looking for a Chief Execu ve Officer (CEO). The applicant is expected to be analy cal, curious and ideally have a general interest in sports. The selected candidate will handle the nancial aspect of the Authority. The candidate shall be in possession of an MQF Level 6 in Management, Law, Finance, Business Management or a related degree (or higher). The applicant is also expected to have 8 years' experience in management. Interested applicants are invited to send their applica on via email. The applica on shall include a covering le er, a Curriculum Vitae and a recent police conduct (within one month). Applica ons will be accepted un l the 20th of August 2025 at noon. Applica ons including the abovemen oned documents are to be sent to the following address: careers.aims@aims.org.mt THE third-country nation- al community in Malta will be celebrating the Hindu festival, Krishna Janmashtami. But the celebrations won't take place in a temple, as it will be hosted by the General Workers' Union (GWU). The event will be open to everyone, regardless of religion, culture, or background, and will include guided meditations, cul- tural performances, and a free meal. The celebration will take place on 17 August at 4.30pm at the GWU HQ in Valletta. Speaking to MaltaToday, the GWU's Secretary of the Food and Hospitality Section, Kevin Abela explained that this will be the second event of its kind host- ed by the union. Abela stated that he will be among the GWU staff who will be present at the event so that TCNs with work-related prob- lems can be heard and offered solutions. He noted that the number of TCNs who have become mem- bers of the union is on the rise, further stating that some large companies employing TCNs are even approaching the union to work on collective agreements. When asked why he believes this is happening, Abela pointed towards the GWU's warning of service disruption last May, when the union told food courier com- panies that it is ready to act if they don't address "clear violations of the law" against their employees. Abela suggested that this ac- tion sent a message to those re- lying heavily on TCNs that the GWU is ready to act in the face of abuse. Giving an update on the collec- tive agreement for food couriers, Abela stressed that this is need- ed as soon as possible, explaining that the union is pushing to have the agreement finalised by the end of September. General Workers' Union to host Hindu celebration for TCN community THE Malta Development Association's Estate Agents Section has called for greater transparency in the management of government land. The statement comes following criticism to- wards the housing minister by the developers' lobby and the Opposition over the affordable housing projects. They claimed the projects will lead to wide speculation in the property market. The concept, which is being developed by a newly established foundation between the gov- ernment and the Catholic Church, hopes to sell apartments at below-market costs to create a new supply of affordable housing. While agreeing with initiatives which "genu- inely help first-time buyers enter the property market", Michael Bonello, CEO of Alliance Re- al Estate Group and Head of the Estate Agents within the MDA, said such schemes must be carried out in a manner that is fair, competitive, and transparent. "We caution that any housing scheme must avoid creating distortions in the market or unin- tended incentives that could undermine fairness and transparency," he said. He insisted "government-owned land should be managed transparently, and in a manner that safeguards public trust and ensures the best pos- sible outcome for the market and the tax-paying public." Bonello said land costs typically represent around half of the final price of a property, so how government land is allocated significantly impacts affordability and market fairness. "Our position is that, ideally, the government should develop such land itself and sell the units directly," he insisted. "If private developers are to be involved, the process should be opened through a proper public tender or similar trans- parent mechanism, giving all interested parties, including those who have alrsceady expressed their interest, an equal opportunity to partici- pate." The MDA's estate agent section head said gov- ernment-owned land is a "national asset", and it is essential that it is allocated in a manner that serves the public interest, promotes healthy competition, and supports long-term market stability. "Real estate agents represented in the EAS stand ready to collaborate with government and stakeholders to develop sustainable, transparent solutions that balance market realities with so- cial needs," he concluded. JULIANA ZAMMIT jzammit@mediatoday.com.mt Malta Development Association's Estate Agents Section head Michael Bonello says initiatives which help first- time buyers access the property market are welcome, but schemes should be 'fair, competitive, and transparent' MDA estate agents section wants 'greater transparency' in management of government-owned land