Three European Members of Parliament were elected. Three from each political party, one of whom is a Gozitan. I wish to congratulate all of those elected to have one aim only at the European Union, which is to bring honour and advances to our Islands.
I do feel for those who got chunks of votes but finally failed in the run-in. Wishing all of these the very best for next time.
Labour won these elections but only by a very small majority and contrary to previous elections. The Prime Minister acknowledged this and promised to work to right the feelings of those supporters and others that didn’t bother to gather their votes and also those who had the votes but refused to do so.
Many people will discuss the reasons for this lack of interest that the result has indicated. As a staunch Labourite I feel I must put my personal thoughts on paper for all those who bother to read it. Maybe some of these will not fall on deaf ears.
Dom Mintoff’s Reforms
Due to my age I only really remember Mintoff’s leadership time both in Office and when also in Opposition. I do remember in 1955 the building of Schools, Lyceums, technical, farming, free hospital care, reforms in all sorts of social services, the introduction of the 40-hour week, married women could retain their Governmental Jobs after marriage and also most importantly, “Equal Pay for Equal Work” as previously males were paid more than females.
Housing estates, plots and financial subsidies from “Lohumbus” at a percentage rate according to personal income, were introduced and given to married and engaged couples. That is why the percentage of privately own houses by Maltese is so high.
Costs of materials and food were also being controlled contrary to what is exactly the opposite which has been happening these last years. rents, properties, food, ars and restaurants are upping their prices with no control whatsoever.
Greed upon more greed is the modern norm these last years. Whilst Government has made an agreement recently on a number of items with importers to keep the prices stable. Whenever one goes to any kind of bars, restaurants, shops of all kinds, one can see the prices going up all the time without any control.
Prices of all kinds of properties and rents have reached astronomic heights which normal workers simply cannot afford.
Greed upon greed and more greed are the masters nowadays. Everyone wants to get on these bandwagons as all want to get wealthy overnight. This at the costs of normal working groups and middle class people having to carry the weight of these abusive inflammatory prices and additional costs.
Difference in Pay for Same Jobs
What we achieved in 1971 under Dom Mintoff’s Government to have equal pay for equal work, is no longer in force. People engaged directly by an Entity are paid more than those employed by an agency whilst doing the same work in jobs and hours.
Why is this happening and being allowed to happen for so long? This when it was a Labour Government that established equal pay for equal work.
Why should these so called “agencies” get a good chunk of these workers pay, all months and years long? This is in my view an abuse which any Labour Administration should put a stop too, immediately.
Abuses both Legal and Illegal
Why do the authorities allow the taking over of squares – embankments – sea-side areas – music till 1am, ( just imagine being a resident near these shops and bars with loud music till 1am.) This will certainly drive people crazy. I do remember Valletta with music and singing being held at night but stopped at 11pm. This is also how it should be at present.
Excessive tables/chairs and even roads are being abused with no legal rights but the Authorities are closing both eyes and ears to the General Public’s complaints.
In Gozo even ambulances, wedding cars and funeral corteges cannot pass due to the illegal and abusive taking over of the Squares. I do remember when Authorities used to visit to see that tables and chairs were according to the permits. Not anymore. Why?
Lastly, but most important of all, are the building and illegalities happening all over our Island.
How is it that buildings erected without a permit are not being stopped? How is it that when a cowboy builds illegally, is stopped by the Courts but then a “PA Sanction Permit is issued even after the Court Sentence?”
Normal citizens are asking why is this happening? Is there a “Planning Authority” or “A Permitting Authority” many people are asking?
Why and how is it that even the Authorities are buying construction materials from illegal outlets when these have no permits to function, yet contracts are awarded to these illegal operations?
Solutions
These are several critically important items that the General Public is vehemently criticising. As for other items such as health and social services being introduced which are among the best in the world.
If and when the Governmental Authorities take responsibility to control abuses and the excessive buildings and illegalities, the normal voter would only then be able to judge and assess who is the best party to govern them.
As a former MP, Unionist and Activist, I find that being critical when needed is required and necessary to stop any kind of hemorrhage from deepening even further than it has already.
Like an individual needing hospitalisation to heal so does a political entity, especially the one that one loves and wishes a better future for.
This is why I am writing this article outlining the way that I feel.
Lino DeBono
File photo: Lino Debono