Alternattiva Demokratika have said that they have just received a copy of a letter from European Commission Representation in Malta, confirming that non-Maltese EU citizens’ have equal rights to Maltese nationals regarding eco-reduction eligibility and the registration procedure with ARMS Ltd for same.

Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson on EU and Internationa Affairs, said, "The EU is re-affirming that all EU citizens are to be treated equally before the law. Dated, 24/05/10, the European Commission states that for the purposes of eco-reduction registration non-Maltese EU citizens need only demonstrate to ARMS Ltd that they reside in Malta and that, like Maltese nationals, the possession of a Maltese identity card serves as sufficient proof to that effect."

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson added, "ARMS Ltd are flouting EU law. The May 2010 version of the ‘change in number of persons declaration’ (form) published on the Water Services Corporation website:
http://www.wsc.com.mt/(S(yuoaji55gf2hpf5525al1cby))/FileUploads/FIN_CR_513-9_1x2_05-10_-_Change _in_Number_of_Persons_Declaration_-_May_2010.PDF
still stipulates additional terms and conditions that do not apply to Maltese nationals, namely:

1) A requirement that in the case of foreigners who reside in Malta who have an ‘A’ Identity Card, proof that they pay taxes locally or have a permit to reside in Malta.

2) A requirement that in the case of foreign minors, a certificate from the Expatriate Office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be presented.

3) A requirement that in the case of a marriage between a Maltese citizen and a foreigner, a marriage certificate from the Public Registry must be produced.

As a consequence of these obstacles, the entitlement of non-Maltese EU citizens to the eco-reduction as well as the energy allowance – ‘€30 per household plus €25 for each person such that a single person household will receive €55’ – is being gravely undermined given that these schemes are based on the correct number of registered occupants on energy bills.

Furthermore, the widespread imposition on non-Maltese EU citizens of the so-called the ‘domestic’ rate, as opposed to ‘residential’ rate, which is almost universally applied to Maltese nationals, is untenable given that the ‘domestic’ rate is over 30% more expensive in respect of energy consumption tariffs, constituting the costliest household electricity rate in the European Union."

Mr Briguglio concluded by saying, "The Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Investment to comply, in full, with EU law with regard to institutional discrimination against non-Maltese EU citizens as a matter of urgency."

Permalink: Commission confirm EU citizens right to eco-reductions – AD