“What happened yesterday is not an isolated case, nor is it the first or last time that it will happen, but it is the first time the Government had acted in the interest of all those who, due to natural circumstances, were stranded in Malta and Gozo,” Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana said in a statement today.

She added that, “although we were quick to act, we must now prepare a contingency plan ready to trigger in similar circumstances. Therefore Ministerial discussions will begin so as to formulate this plan.”

Minister Justyne Caruana announced that there is a mechanism being put in place for Gozitan workers who stayed overnight in a hotel or guest house proposed by the Ministry for Gozo, that they are compensated for expenses related to the accommodation. Further information can be obtained from the mgoz.gov.mt site or mobile app MyGozo.

Dr Caruana showed her appreciation to all employees within the Ministry for Gozo, the police, Civil Protection, the Armed Forces of Malta and the ELC, for their work and commitment to ensure that danger was averted on the roads as a result of the bad weather.

She also thanked Gozo Channel employees, who, she said, through the severe weather showed their commitment and loyalty to the company, keeping the ferry service working between the island for as long as possible

The Minister thanked the hotel owners in the north of Malta, who gave their support to Gozitans who wished to stay overnight, by giving preferential rates, as well as the Jesuit community in Gozo who offered shelter to those who were stranded in Gozo.

Permalink: Gozitan workers will be compensated for overnight accommodation