Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/824559
13 maltatoday TUESDAY, 16 MAY 2017 Editorial Governance as seen through the employers MaltaToday, MediaToday Co. Ltd, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 MANAGING EDITOR: SAVIOUR BALZAN Tel: (356) 21 382741-3, 21 382745-6 • Fax: (356) 21 385075 Website: www.maltatoday.com.mt E-mail: newsroom@mediatoday.com.mt It could have come as no surprise to see that yesterday the Malta Employers As- sociation came up with an interesting range of propos- als to tackle the topic of the moment – rising good governance and corruption concerns. The association said this was damaging busi- ness confidence and Malta's international image. This was unsurprisingly a corresponding and identi- cal message sent out by the Nationalist party. Concerns about good gov- ernance have been around under most administrations, and corruption has always featured in local elections. Both sides of the divide are tainted with it, and elector- ates tend to forget the sins of the past. Which is a pity, for that gives a skewed picture of how deep rooted our problems are. The association also demanded at a press confer- ence that public contracts should be published in full and within three months and for no public contracts to be signed with entities whose ultimate owners are unknown or hidden behind a trust. It is also called for persons of trust to be subjected to periodic audits by an inde- pendent board, which would also include representatives from the Opposition bench- es. The board would report on time spent, activities and results achieved. The number of persons of trust must be subject to a ceiling and their employ- ment contracts published in full, the association said. The MEA's document also proposed that key positions in public authorities should be approved by a two thirds majority in the House of Representatives, that direct orders be capped, and that local media must be rep- resented on all state visits abroad. More importantly it called for a smaller Maltese Par- liament with 41 full-time parliamentarians and for ministerial salaries to be incremented to the level of Maltese chief executives. "It is evident that the cur- rent rates of remuneration will not attract the best persons to fill these posts – many skilled people are keen on entering politics but don't want to start earning just €55,000 a year," MEA direc- tor Joe Farrugia said. "Besides, when they aren't paid well, ministers will be more tempted to increase their income on the sly." Farrugia described the current situation in Malta as a "paradox" – with rising governance concerns and de- clining faith in the country's institutions occurring at a time of significant and posi- tive economic performance. "Corruption, even if perceived, is not good for business. Malta's interna- tional reputation will only be secured if we can ensure and demonstrate that our in- stitutions have strong values and ethics." It is good to know that there are skilled people keen on entering politics, which is a ruthless arena as the cur- rent situation proves. And yes, parliamentary earnings are a disincentive, which is why, one presumes, some measures are taken by gov- ernments to improve those earnings. Different governments go different ways in doing this, and the one certainty is that the opposition of the day will do its best to cry foul. In their much needed and welcome comments the MEA should also have com- mented on the responsibil- ity of the media and social media in cultivating the real news versus fake news. About reporting, writing and presenting facts versus fiction and spin. And more importantly in encourag- ing that at the very end of the day the valid and crucial institutions and executive bodies should be allowed to work in serenity and be represented by individuals who are independent and are willing to function and deliver and decide without fear or favour.