The right to know www.timesofmalta.com

Mario Mallia Vice-Chairperson, Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party

29th May 2002

Hats off! Our health service ranks among the best 10 in the world. No mean feat, considering the limitations imposed by a micro economy, running on its own steam.

The thing is, however, that a decent health service cannot be judged solely on the care it affords to the sick. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure; a vibrant health service is by definition one which emphasises prevention. It needs to be proactive. It is specifically on this preventive side that the Maltese health service visibly falters.

Some examples should help illustrate this point.

Case 1: The Maghtab nightmare. If it were not for organisations such as Alternattiva Demokratika and Greenpeace, among others, this country would still be in a state of collective trance. Any health authority worth its salt would have raised the alarm ages ago. It was not to be. On the contrary, there was a conscious effort to suppress common sense itself.

Alternattiva had taken it upon itself, for at least three years in a row, to inform the public of the potential health risks posed by a swim at the otherwise scenic beauty of Bahar ic-Caghaq. Throughout, the minister for health kept insisting that the water was good for bathing. That no contamination was detected. That all was well.

No wonder! They had only tested for e.coli, when the problem lies in the presence of heavy metals, dioxin, furans, and the rest! It was only after much huffing and puffing that the minister acknowledged the problem, and even so, it took him a month to decide who should erect the health warnings!

Case 2. Thursday, April 25. This newspaper gives front page coverage to a Swedish study that indicates carcinogens are produced in substantial quantities when food rich in carbohydrate, such as potatoes, bread and rice is fried or baked. This means that our innocuous looking, mouth-watering hobza, and ross il-forn, among other favourite dishes, might be the proverbial wolves in sheep skin.

Red alert? No way! Not even a paltry whisper from the health authorities suggesting that, at least, they are informing themselves on the situation. Yes minister, we are yet again deafened by your silence.

Case 3. Mobile telephony. The literature on the subject has only just scraped the surface. The evidence is conflicting. Health risks are not being ruled out. Until more light is shed on the long-term impacts of cellular electromagnetic radiation, the precautionary principle is being advocated universally. Even from institutions whose tolerance limits are considered by many to be too liberal.

Take the WHO guidelines. Take the British Health Service. The precautionary principle is spelt black on white. People need to make informed decisions. The British Health Service, for one, published a list of recommendations. The leaflet is distributed with every mobile phone sold.

You would expect the local health authorities to do the same. Well, the honourable minister for health was asked in parliament whether the health authorities were considering the publication of information similar to the British Health Service leaflet. The minister didn't mince his words: no need was felt for such information to be published.

Oh really?! Dear minister, the literature is stark and clear. The British Health Service recommends keeping the use of mobile phones to a minimum. It recommends avoiding phone contact with the head while the connection is being sought, (it is at this time that the radiation reaches a peak), etc.

There's more. WHO and the British Health Service, just to mention two institutions, expressly recommend that, as a precaution, children under 16 years of age should refrain from using mobile phones. With a nervous system still developing, children are the most susceptible to possible deleterious effects of electromagnetic radiation.

To all this, the honourable minister turns a blind eye. Instead, what we have in Malta is simply an Education Division directive, forbidding mobile phones in schools. What children do after school hours is their business.

No recommendation is ever contemplated, let alone communicated to the public.

Make no mistake about it. This is no blunder. It is a conscious omission. Now if this is not playing Russian roulette with our children's health, I don't know what is. This reminds me of the Chernobyl episode under Labour.

Then, wide-leafed vegetables were forbidden all over Europe right down to Porto Palo because of radiation. In Malta? Business as usual. The no problem syndrome yet again.

The reluctance by the minister, time and again, to call a spade a spade is nothing short of a crass disregard for public health. Fortunately, dear minister, Alternattiva Demokratika will not mind venturing where ministers fear to tread.

You see, sir, people have a right to know.

It is high time that the health authorities live up to what is expected of them. They cannot remain apologetic to the government of the day or to some commercial endeavour that has the government's blessing. The sphere of preventive health needs to be freed from the strings currently attached to it, so that it may be able to fulfil a much-needed role as an independent watchdog. Given its sterling work on a number of issues despite a shoestring budget that has hampered its efforts, the Health Promotion Unit should be the unit entrusted with such a mission.

While remaining publicly funded, the unit should be granted independent status so that it may truly be in a position to make its voice heard without being held at ransom by any political or commercial whim or otherwise.

Dear minister, we have the right to know!

An alliance for Europe www.independent.com.mt

James Debono

Media Officer Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party

28th May 2002

Some people are afraid of change.

And non-membership in the European Union will mean a significant change in our lives. It will mean a sudden end to an entire process of reform in Maltese society.

What will happen to sewage treatment and waste management if Malta does not join the EU? What will happen to the subsidies given to farmers in the light of the removal of levies in the agricultural sector? What will happen to a civil service, which is all geared up to prepare for EU membership? What will happen to all those projects whose completion depends on structural funds from the European Union?

Not joining the European Union would either result in a drastic increase in taxation or in the regression of our country to a sort of Albania in the central Mediterranean. And what about the MLP’s alternative...the so called “partnership” with the union?

At least in the forthcoming EU referendum we will vote on something concrete. Before voting in the referendum we will all know what the pros and the cons are. On the other the partnership mantra exists in the world of spin, chewing gum and propaganda.

It means everything between just short membership and complete isolation. One could even translate partnership in to the Maltese word shubija, which can be retranslated in the English word membership. And will the EU accept the MLP wish list or will we be offered a package similar to that of Tunisia and Morocco?

What is sure is that if we say No now there will be no turning back. We will remain stuck at the terminal waiting for the bus of the next enlargement.

We do not know when our next chance will be...it might take a couple of decades. And next time, as regards funds, there will only crumbs left for us because we will be in the company of poorer Bulgaria, Romania and perhaps Serbia and Albania.

Do we want to commit a collective act of masochism? Well some people are hard headed enough to give a damn about the national interest. We have already experienced this sort of madness when VAT was replaced by CET. In the light of this madness all responsible organisations, political parties and individuals should behave like true patriots and unite in an alliance for Europe.

Alternattiva Demokratika is being responsible. We are calling all pro-European Union forces to join in an alliance to ensure that the Maltese people are not deprived of the new horizons and opportunities in Europe. Now is the time for great acts of courage and responsibility.
 

Main challenges for the labour market www.independent.com.mt

Michael Briguglio

Public Relations Officer, Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party

24th May 2002

Now that the EU-inspired Employment and Industrial Relations Bill has been published, workers in Malta and Gozo will win various rights enjoyed by their European counterparts. Alternattiva Demokratika, in its role as the only progressive and constructive opposition to the Nationalist government, submitted proposals which are included in the Bill.

AD believes workers in Malta and Gozo face various challenges in the face of globalisation and EU membership, which can be handled successfully, if tackled responsibly. Two of the major challenges being faced concern gender equality and educational standards.

Many women in Malta and Gozo still do not enjoy the role they deserve in a society which cherishes gender equality. National Statistics Office figures reveal only 32 per cent of women are gainfully occupied, a far cry from the 54 per cent average within EU countries. There are more women than men in part-time employment, which is often characterised by offering fewer rights than full-time work.

According to the Labour Force Survey, women earn an average of around 80 per cent of male earnings in identical jobs. Sociological studies have also shown women are under represented in decision-making at work and within trade unions.

Various measures could be taken to help increase gender equality. These include new legislation which Malta is planning to introduce and which AD supports, the introduction of more flexible working hours and the opening of day care centres. Above all, more progressive values in favour of gender equality are needed.

Education and training are other evident characteristics of the Maltese labour market. Educational levels are improving, especially among young women, but the fact remains the Maltese population has a lower level of schooling than that found in many other European countries. Around 10 per cent of Maltese people are illiterate, compared to one or two per cent in most EU nations.

The Green Party insists the time has come to reform the Maltese educational system, which is based on outdated streaming, increasing educational inequalities. Thousands of young people in Malta are finishing secondary education with no or little qualifications, and face poor employment prospects. Besides, the number of under 16s leaving school is at an all time high.

Education and training have an important role to play in the world of work. Here one should commend the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC) for providing various training courses.

However, it is in Malta’s best interest to give top priority to gender equality as well as education and training. If more women enter the labour market, Malta will make more productive use of its human resources. And if our country wants to attract more investment, it is vital that skill levels and flexibility increase.

Alternattiva Demokratika is giving much importance to the issues raised in this article. AD believes that Malta’s socio-economic role should be that of a centre of peace and exportation with high environmental, social and economic standards. This is one reason why the Greens agree with Malta’s bid to join the EU. One should note the various progressive reforms which are taking place are directly influenced by Malta’s application process.

The current global reality is characterised by a sink or swim scenario, where, whether we like it or not, Malta has to compete. Protection of inefficient structures is doomed to fail. On the other hand, policies which increase gender equality and educational standards can form part and parcel of a sustainable economy that prioritises quality of life.

Rent commission www.timesofmalta.com

James Debono, media officer, Alternattiva Demokratika.

22 May 2002

A few weeks ago AD's chairman Harry Vassallo wrote to the prime minister and the leader of the opposition in order to create the basis for a national consensus on the badly needed reform of our obsolete rent laws.

The present rent laws are leading to a situation in which nearly one in every four houses in Malta is vacant.

The gradual liberalisation of the rent market will increase the availability of houses for rent and thus there will be less need to build on virgin land.

Those who cannot afford to buy property will also have the option of renting a place at a reasonable price.

Hopefully, the prime minister and the leader of the opposition will accept Dr Vassallo's proposal for the setting up of a national commission on this issue.

This national commission should be composed of appointees chosen by the three parties. The commission should also ensure that no one falls through the safety net because of this reform.

Hopefully Malta will not lose another opportunity because of partisan pique. Eddie Fenech Adami and Alfred Sant should rise to the occasion and accept Dr Vassallo's call for consensus on this issue

Historic decision  www.independent.com.mt 19 May 2002

Prof. Arnold Cassola

Secretary General of the Federation of European Green Parties and Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson on EU Affairs www.alternattiva.org.mt

It is now official, Maltese is going to be an official language of the European Union. The green light for this historic decision was given in Brussels on 8 May at the Committee of Permanent Representatives of EU Member States.

The committee accepted the recommendation which had been made by the European Commission. I have described this decision as a historic one. I did not use this adjective at random, because in reality by taking this decision the European Union is setting a number of historic precedents. Why?

First of all, the European Union is treating the Maltese language much more favourably than it has treated other European languages, which are spoken by many more people.

Just imagine, three quarters of a million people speak the Breton language, two-and-a-half million people speak the Basque language, seven million people speak Catalan. And yet neither Breton, Basque or Catalan have been accepted by the EU as official languages of the European Union.

Some might argue that the Catalans, the Basques and the Bretons are stateless people. It is true. Yet these people have a strong national identity which goes back hundreds of years. Catalan, Basque and Breton literature has been written for centuries, much earlier than literature in the Maltese language. And yet all these people have been denied the official use of their language in the EU.

What has been achieved for the Maltese language becomes more significant when we compare it to the official languages of two other member countries. I am referring to Gaelic in Ireland and Letzteburger in Luxembourg. When, in the name of Alternattiva Demokratika, I was having discussions on Maltese as an official language of the European Union with EU officials, interesting comparisons and contrasts were made with the languages of these two other member countries. The EU officials pointed out that in Ireland, where Gaelic is an official language on a par with English (just as in Malta, Maltese is an official language on a par with English), only 20 per cent of Irish people speak Gaelic.

Therefore, Gaelic was not given official status by the EU - it not being considered a fully living language. With regards to Letzteburger, the language which is recognised officially in Luxembourg, on a par with German and French, the situation is similar to Maltese, in that all of the Luxembourg population speak the native tongue. However, there is one striking difference between Luxembourg and Malta: in the former, legislation is written only in French.

There are no laws at all written in Letzeburger. Even for this reason Letzeburger is not an official language of the EU. Maltese has been accepted as an official language because it is the national and official language of Malta; the native tongue of the whole population and is spoken by everybody, therefore it is a fully living language; and it is also a written medium in newspapers, administration, law courts, etc.

For all these reasons Maltese has become an official language of the European Union.

Another fantastic consequence of this decision is that the EU has established a new record in its history, since Maltese becomes the only national language of Arabic origin to be recognised as an official language of the EU. This shows that the European Union is ready to implement its motto of Unity in Diversity not only in words but also in deeds.

What are the practical consequences of all this going to be? First of all the EU will start translating all 80,000 pages of existing EU laws. Then, all laws in the future as well as all official documents will be translated into Maltese. What is more, as soon as Malta becomes a member of the European Union, Maltese citizens will have the right to write to the European Commission and all other EU institutions in Maltese, and to receive a reply in the Maltese language. Even a tender which is to be issued by the European Union will have to be published in the Maltese language.

The acceptance of Maltese as an official language also means that Maltese members of the European Parliament would be able to make their speeches in Maltese. However, since this would entail considerable expense, it would be appreciated if such interventions were limited.

Other important practical consequences in the future will be that the EU will be recruiting around 180 Maltese speakers for different types of jobs in the EU. Such jobs will be available at the EU Commission and the European Council, and parliament will obviously require linguistic skills.

It is expected that the first recruits will be taken on by the end of this year. A few days ago, I wrote about the consequences of this decision. I will repeat myself. This historic recognition is the apex of a “dream” story for our language.

One hundred years ago, Maltese was considered to be Il-lingwa tal-kcina. Until 1924 we did not have an official alphabet to write Maltese in. Maltese was recognised as an official language (alongside English and Italian) in 1934. And it was only in 1964, in our Independence Constitution, that our mother tongue was elevated to the status of national language. And then, on 8 May, it was decided that Maltese becomes an official language of Europe. In 10 months’ time, March 2003, Malta will sign the accession treaties and the decision will be enacted.

The dream of true patriots of the past, such as Vassalli, Manwel Dimech, Guze’ Bonnici, Ninu Cremona, Gino Muscat Azzopardi, Johnnie Marks, Guze’ Orlando, Guze’ Ellul Mercer, Erin Serracino Inglott and Guze’ Aquilina will come true.

As will the dream of all true Maltese patriots today. That is, unless the opponents of Malta’s entry into the EU have their way.
 

Tourism, the Arts and beyond

Spokesperson for Tourism and Civil Society - Alternattiva Demokratika - the Green Party www.alternattiva.org.mt

I have read carefully the report on the Tourism and Arts seminar organised by the Malta Tourism Authority (The Sunday Times, April 21) and would have liked to be there. The following are some Green Party proposals and comments on this issue.

We Greens believe that specialised and sustainable forms of tourism should be encouraged throughout the year, but special attention should be given to the winter months, when tourist arrivals decrease. These should include cultural and artistic activities such as music concerts, film festivals, Mediterrenean activities and museum circuits.

AD believes that cultural and artistic activities should not be looked upon by means of a top-down approach by cultural elitists. Such an approach is not only harmful to cultural diversity, but also to tourism in general. Culture and the arts should be characterised by an inclusive process with civil society participation. These areas should be treated as dynamic sources of leisure and free expression and not as a monopoly of the few.

The Green Party proposals in this regard include:

¤ the creation of a national foundation to encourage and administer cultural and artistic development. The foundation should be professionally managed and its policy-making should include the participation of non-governmental organisations, artists and academics in the cultural and artistic fields;

¤ the site of the former opera house should be rebuilt as a cultural centre. The private sector should be involved in this develop-ment and should also be involved together with civil society in the sale and provision of services and products such as cinema, books, records, as well as cutural and artistic activities;

¤ the ministry responsible for culture should create a division that focuses on the development of music. Music should be defined broadly and include traditional music, classical music, rock, pop and other styles. The division should strive for the creation of a system of soft-loans, as well as for the promotion of Malta as an international venue of varied musical activities such as rock concerts. Different types of musicians and music critics should participate in the policy-making process within the division;

¤ the Department of Museums should modernise museums so that interactive experiences could take place. The private sector and academics should be involved in this project. Museums should be professionally run to ensure that they are visitor-friendly public entities;

¤ localities should be encouraged to develop local museums that promote themes related to popular culture such as local traditions and the history of different social groups and classes including farmers, workers, women and children;

¤ a national board for films should promote Maltese films beyond Malta's shores and should explore the possibility of organising film festivals.

These proposals are definitely not exclusive and are being submitted as part of the Green Party's manifesto to be approved later this year.

However, Malta needs to deliver in various other basic areas if it aims to attract more tourists. We cannot expect to attract quality tourists as long as the island's image as a shabby building-site persists. And this requires more than producing idyllic advertisements that are a far cry from the real Malta. Unfortunately, so not much is being done to improve Malta's image, and the results are there for all to see.

In fact, recent figures issued by the National Statistics Office show that January and February witnessed a drop of 9.3% in tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year. This is worrying, especially considering that, as stated above, Malta already experiences a low tourist season in winter.

Cultural reform would improve the quality of life of people in Malta and Gozo and could also kick-start badly-needed quality tourism. Alternattiva Demokratika - the Green Party is ready to co-operate to help bring about such changes and believes that civil society participation would bring about positive and creative proposals.

Let us use Eco-Tourism Year to our advantage.

Tourism, the Arts and beyond

Spokesperson for Tourism and Civil Society - Alternattiva Demokratika - the Green Party www.alternattiva.org.mt

I have read carefully the report on the Tourism and Arts seminar organised by the Malta Tourism Authority (The Sunday Times, April 21) and would have liked to be there. The following are some Green Party proposals and comments on this issue.

We Greens believe that specialised and sustainable forms of tourism should be encouraged throughout the year, but special attention should be given to the winter months, when tourist arrivals decrease. These should include cultural and artistic activities such as music concerts, film festivals, Mediterrenean activities and museum circuits.

AD believes that cultural and artistic activities should not be looked upon by means of a top-down approach by cultural elitists. Such an approach is not only harmful to cultural diversity, but also to tourism in general. Culture and the arts should be characterised by an inclusive process with civil society participation. These areas should be treated as dynamic sources of leisure and free expression and not as a monopoly of the few.

The Green Party proposals in this regard include:

¤ the creation of a national foundation to encourage and administer cultural and artistic development. The foundation should be professionally managed and its policy-making should include the participation of non-governmental organisations, artists and academics in the cultural and artistic fields;

¤ the site of the former opera house should be rebuilt as a cultural centre. The private sector should be involved in this develop-ment and should also be involved together with civil society in the sale and provision of services and products such as cinema, books, records, as well as cutural and artistic activities;

¤ the ministry responsible for culture should create a division that focuses on the development of music. Music should be defined broadly and include traditional music, classical music, rock, pop and other styles. The division should strive for the creation of a system of soft-loans, as well as for the promotion of Malta as an international venue of varied musical activities such as rock concerts. Different types of musicians and music critics should participate in the policy-making process within the division;

¤ the Department of Museums should modernise museums so that interactive experiences could take place. The private sector and academics should be involved in this project. Museums should be professionally run to ensure that they are visitor-friendly public entities;

¤ localities should be encouraged to develop local museums that promote themes related to popular culture such as local traditions and the history of different social groups and classes including farmers, workers, women and children;

¤ a national board for films should promote Maltese films beyond Malta's shores and should explore the possibility of organising film festivals.

These proposals are definitely not exclusive and are being submitted as part of the Green Party's manifesto to be approved later this year.

However, Malta needs to deliver in various other basic areas if it aims to attract more tourists. We cannot expect to attract quality tourists as long as the island's image as a shabby building-site persists. And this requires more than producing idyllic advertisements that are a far cry from the real Malta. Unfortunately, so not much is being done to improve Malta's image, and the results are there for all to see.

In fact, recent figures issued by the National Statistics Office show that January and February witnessed a drop of 9.3% in tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year. This is worrying, especially considering that, as stated above, Malta already experiences a low tourist season in winter.

Cultural reform would improve the quality of life of people in Malta and Gozo and could also kick-start badly-needed quality tourism. Alternattiva Demokratika - the Green Party is ready to co-operate to help bring about such changes and believes that civil society participation would bring about positive and creative proposals.

Let us use Eco-Tourism Year to our advantage.

Who are the true patriots?