Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/788859
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2017 6 Sant: Like TTIP, CETA gives power to those dominating planet MATTHEW AGIUS ANY economic and trade agree- ment between the European Union and Canada or the United States would mainly serve to "further strengthen large enterprises that dominate our planet", while un- dermining European farming ef- forts and workers' rights, Maltese Labour MEP Alfred Sant claimed this week. In a vote in the European Parlia- ment on Wednesday, the Maltese lone dissenter voted against a pro- posed EU agreement with Canada, joining 65 other Social Democrat members of the European Parlia- ment who went against the instruc- tions of the parliamentary group. The Comprehensive and Eco- nomic Trade Agreement (CETA) aims to eliminate 98% of tariffs on exported goods, making it the EU's most far-reaching trade deal to date. Trade between the two sides amounts to more than €60 billion a year, and the EU expects the deal to boost this figure by 20%. It says the agreement will facili- tate the export of goods and ser- vices and benefit people and busi- nesses in both the EU and Canada. Sant said he voted against the trade agreement because he was unable to see how socialists could endorse a treaty opposed by the majority of worker unions and civil and consumer rights' groups in both the EU and Canada. He said that regulations and dif- fering standards often meant that items manufactured in the EU cannot be sold in Canada and vice versa, therefore an agreement on technical or commercial specifica- tions was hoped to help trade. "But whilst the deal is expected to help boost trade, at the same time the EU was also negotiating the controversial TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) deal with America which threat- ened several industrial sectors," he said. Sant said it was feared the EU would have to adopt American standards and management prac- tises that continue to erode work- er's rights. "It is feared that EU farm pro- duction could be undermined by American produce and that en- vironmental safeguards would be threatened by American competi- tion, especially in the energy sector and that culture and TV steamroll- ered by Hollywood were also fac- tors," he said. Sant also said the ensuing and ongoing controversy over the proposed treaty with the US had spread to the trade agreement with Canada. "And although Canada is closer culturally and values-wise to Eu- rope, if the arguments against TTIP are valid don't they also count against Canada?" the MEP asked. Sant said the solution to the controversy should be tied to the spread of globalisation which, he insisted, was changing the world into a single market. This devel- opment had brought with it many benefits but had also caused dam- ages and suffering, he argued. "The way things stand, it appears to me that agreements like CETA and TTIP serve most to further strengthen large enterprises that dominate our planet," he concluded 408 MEPs overall voted in favour of the agreement and 254 against; 33 abstained. CETA will now face the hurdle of being ratified by the 28 member states; the ratification process varies from country to country, with some requesting ap- proval in national parliaments. The centre-right EPP (European Popular Party) was largely united, with only five out of 206 MEPs vot- ing against. Seven of its members abstained, a majority of which were French MEPs. But in the centre-left S&D group, out of a total of 174 MEPs who vot- ed, 66 voted against CETA – and against the instructions of their party group – and 13 abstained. FITCH Ratings reaffirmed Malta's 'A' credit rating, citing a high na- tional income per capita and robust economic growth, but commented that ratings had been constrained by structural bottlenecks and its weak indicator in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business. Growth remained strong in 2016 at 3.9%, and will maintain the face with an average 3.3% over 2018, supported by rising job growth, rising wages, and new investment projects in the health, education and transport sectors. Fitch made special mention of service exports from the gaming industry which had led to a sub- stantial improvement in growth, and the fall in national debt to below 60% through high revenues from excise duties, income tax and the International Investor Pro- gramme (IIP). Government-guaranteed liabili- ties remain amongst the highest in the European Union at 14.8% of GDP at the end of 3Q16, although they are set to decrease to 11.9% of GDP at end-2017, when the tem- porary guarantee granted to Elec- troGas for the construction of a new power station expires, said the agency. "Most guarantees relate to profitable companies, includ- ing the utility company Enemalta, Freeport Group Corporation and Malta Industrial Parks," it added. Banks were profitable and liquid, with domestic banks representing 219% of Malta's GDP, and the rise in house prices was said to have moderated with the pace of mort- gage lending decreasing to 6.2% as of end-September 2016 from 11% a year earlier. The agency said that future de- velopments that could individually result in a positive rating would be a longer track record of consoli- dating public finances, a decline im contingent liabilities, and progress in addressing key weaknesses in the business environment. News Environment & Resources Authority Hexagon House, Spencer Hill, Marsa. CAREER OPPORTUNITY The Environment & Resources Authority is seeking to employ specialized officers to join a growing team. Interested applicants must possess interpersonal, communication and time management skills and be able to work within a team. Assistant Officer (ICT) Jobs Plus Permit No.450/2016 This Authority is recruiting an Assistant Officer to join the ICT team. The officer shall be responsible for the development and implementation of a number of projects dealing with Information Systems. The Officer will also be responsible for maintaining the ICT systems within the Authority. The position requires a Bachelor's Degree (MQF Level 6) in one of the following: Computer Science, Information Systems Development or comparable qualification as recognized by NCFHE. Preference will be given to individuals in possession of a recognized qualification or experience in Software Development and Geographical Information Systems. Senior Officer (Support Services) Jobs Plus Permit No. 596/2016 This Authority is recruiting a Senior Officer (Support Services) to oversee and maintain Health & Safety, Security and proper up keeping of the main premises and other property that falls under the responsibility of the Authority. The Officer shall be pro-active to Health & Safety matters, ensure that assets are well maintained, investigates and writes reports, conducts risk assessments and responds to emergency calls when necessary. The position requires a Full Diploma in Social Studies (Occupational Health & Safety) at MQF Level 5 or comparable qualifications as recognized by the NCFHE and a minimum of three (3) years working experience performing similar work. Secretary Jobs Plus Permit No. 544/2016 The Authority is recruiting a number of Secretaries to provide an advanced standard of secretarial support within the Authority. The position requires at least four (4) 'O' level passes including Maltese and English, a recognized secretarial training course, be computer literate, good verbal and written communication skills and a minimum of three (3) years experience performing secretarial work in a professional organization Secretarial Assistant Jobs Plus Permit No. 642/2016 The Authority is recruiting a number of Secretarial Assistants to provide general secretarial support within the Authority. The position requires at least four (4) 'O' level passes including Maltese and English, a recognized secretarial training course, be computer literate, good verbal and written communication skills and a minimum of one (1) year experience performing secretarial work in a professional organization. Interested candidates are advised to submit their application, together with a detailed curriculum vitae and a copy of their qualifications by noon of 6th March 2017 (CET) to the attention of Human Resources, quoting the respective position and Jobs Plus permit number, via email on vacancies.era@era.org.mt For further information, visit the careers page on our website: http://era.org.mt/en/Pages/Current-Vacancies.aspx Fitch Ratings reaffirms Malta's 'A' rating and positive outlook Non-EU roots in JAMES DEBONO FOREIGN residents from outside the European Union account for one in every five people living in Msida and Sliema. The towns of Msida, Sliema, Gzira and St Paul's Bay have the highest percentage of their population composed of non-EU nationals, according to an analy- sis of statistics presented in the House in reply to a question by MP Claudio Grech. Statistics show that 15% (2,964) of the 19,317 non-EU nationals living Malta, live in Sliema alone, where they account for 19.9% of the population of this town. Msida, where 1,724 foreign na- tionals live, boasts the highest number of foreign nationals as a percentage of the town's popula- tion – 20.2%. The third highest concentra- tion of foreign nationals is found in Gzira, where 1,197 foreign na- tionals live, accounting for 16% of its total population. With the exception of St Paul's Bay, most foreign nationals live in the ninth and tenth electoral districts. In fact 9,932 foreign na- tionals live in Pieta, Gzira, Msida, San Gwann, Ta' Xbiex, Swieqi