Ministry for the Family & Social Solidarity

Clarification by the Ministry for Social Policy on the rent laws reform white paper

15/07/2008

The Ministry for Social Policy has been informed that since the publication of the White Paper a number of landlords are refusing to accept rent from their tenants. The Ministry is informed that landlords are informing tenants that “they are awaiting developments”. The Ministry for Social Policy informs both landlords and tenants that the existing laws regulating the rental market are those currently in place, and that both landlords and tenants continue to abide by such legislation. The White Paper is a document for public consultation and thus has no effect in law. Tenants’ rights as set by the current legislation are valid and are protected by law. DOI – 14.07.2008

Applikazzjonijiet ghall-hatra tal-Kunsill ta' l-organizzazjonijiet volontarji

15/07/2008

Bis-setghat moghtija bl-Att Numru XXII tal-2007 li jirregola l-organizzazzjonijiet volontarji u l-amministrazzjoni taghhom, il-Ministru ghall-Politika Socjali, l-Onor. John Dalli jilqa' applikazzjonijiet ghall-hatra tal-Kunsill ghas-Settur tal-Volontarjat skont l-Artikolu 35 ta' dan l-Att.

Il-Kunsill se jkun maghmul minn President u ghaxar membri ohrajn. Minn fost dawn il-hdax-il membru, wiehed jinhatar mill-Ministru biex jirrapprezenta lill-Gvern, membru iehor ikun il-Kummissarju ex officio u d-disa' membri l-ohra jinhatru skont is-subartikolu (3) ta' dan l-Att.

(A) Hames membri minn fost is-settur tal-volontarjat kif gej: <0}

tliet membri li jigu nnominati minn organizzazzjonijiet volontarji iskritti sa dakinhar tal-pubblikazzjoni ta' dan l-avviz;
membru wiehed li jigi nnominat minn organizzazzjonijiet volontarji li ma jkunux iskritti skont dan l-Att izda li jkunu rregistrati skont ma hemm imsemmi fit-Tieni Skeda li tinsab mal-Kodici Civili; (minhabba li r-registrazzjoni skont il-Kodici Civili ghadha ma bdietx, il-persuna li tinhatar trid tinghazel minn fost dawk innominati minn organizzazzjonijiet volontarji ohrajn);
92 membru wiehed li jigi nnominat minn organizzazzjonijiet volontarji li la jkunu iskritti skont ma hemm f'dan l-Att u lanqas ma jkunu rregistrati skont ma hemm imsemmi fit-Tieni Skeda li tinsab mal-Kodici Civili.

(B) Erba' membri li ghandhom jinhatru kif gej:

membru wiehed biex jirrapprezenta lil fundaturi u donaturi ta' organizzazzjonijiet volontarji;
membru wiehed biex jirrapprezenta lil membri ta' organizzazzjonijiet volontarji u lil volontieri;
membru wiehed biex jirrapprezenta lil amministraturi ta' organizzazzjonijiet volontarji;
membru wiehed biex jirrapprezenta lil organizzazzjonijiet barranin u dawk internazzjonali.

Izda meta jkun hemm aktar minn nomina wahda li tkun tirrapprezenta lil xi settur partikulari, il-Ministru ghandu jahtar lil dawk il-membri minn fost in-nomini li jkun ircieva.

Izda meta ma jkunx hemm nomini, il-Ministru ghandu jahtar lil dawk il-membri fid-diskrezzjoni tieghu.

Izda qabel ma l-Ministru jappunta l-membri tal-Kunsill, ghandu minnufih jikkonsulta mal-Kumitat dwar l-Affarijiet Socjali tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jew xi kumitat iehor li jissostitwih dwar in-nomini ricevuti.

Persuna ma tkunx ikkwalifikata biex tinhatar membru fil-Kunsill kemm-il darba hija:

• tkun Imhallef, Magistrat, Membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jew ta' Kunsill Lokali, jew kandidat ghall-elezzjoni fil-Kamra tad-Deputati jew Kunsill Lokali; jew

• jew legalment inkapacitata jew interdetta; jew

• tkun giet iddikjarata falluta jew tkun ghamlet kompozizzjoni jew arrangament mal-kredituri taghha; jew

• tkun instabet hatja ta' xi reat kontra l-fiducja pubblika jew ta' serq jew frodi, jew tkun xjentement laqghet ghandha proprjetà li tkun gejja minn serq jew frodi, jew ta' xi reat kontra dan l-Att.

In-nomini minn organizzazzjonijiet volontarji, u li jindikaw taht liema minn dawn it-taqsimiet qed jitressqu dawn in-nomini, jintlaqghu mill-Kummissjoni Ghall-Organizzazzjonijiet Volontarji sat-18 ta' Awissu 2008.

Block C, Floriana FRN 1700

Tel: 25687261

Email: vo@gov.mt

DOI – 14.07.2008

Europe faced with the new demographic challenges and the evolution of activity throughout life

15/07/2008

Informal Ministerial Council for Ministers of Labour and Social Affair, Chantilly- 10 and 11 July 2008 I would first like to thank our host for this wonderful setting and for the extensive agenda that has been put in front of us. Malta welcomes the publication of the renewed social agenda - even though deeper analysis and discussion is required at both EU and Member State level given the wide range of initiatives, measures and instruments it incorporates. The launch of this initiative shows that the social dimension of the EU is an integral part of the Lisbon Strategy and we must ensure that the visibility of social progress is retained as we move forward. The social choices Europe has to make are becoming more crucial especially at a time of deep-rooted demographic changes, economic instability accelerated by incessant food and fuel price rises, environmental concerns, and complex global pressures. It is in this scenario, that the EU and Member States need to look at the way Europe has to react to the social challenges that lie ahead. The demographic development in Europe is increasingly characterised by the phenomenon of an ageing population brought about by a decline in birth and death rates. This demographic challenge brings with it social and economic imbalances that require wide-ranging and long lasting adjustments in our societies, some of which may be difficult in the short term but which are essential for long term social and economic sustainability. The new realities dictate that an increasing number of older workers will have to continue contributing to the country’s productivity and this makes it essential that we recognise older people’s potential in both employment terms and in terms of advice, care and support that they provide to younger generations. It is thus important to invest in education and training as they are the tools that empower people to absorb new knowledge and skills in order to adapt to change and remain active in society. Undoubtedly integrated active inclusion policies could help in tackling these challenges. In order to deal with the challenges our society is facing today, it is very important that we continue to exchange good practice on how to develop measures to ensure employment and equal opportunities by launching initiatives with a view to: - achieving a higher female labour force participation; - facilitating the entry of vulnerable persons (e.g. older workers, unskilled workers etc) into the labour market; - promoting gender equality; and - enhancing the balance between work and family life. Our social services need to be modernised to deal with the challenges we are facing. It is important to underline that ongoing discussions, particularly in relation to Social Services of General Interest (SSGI), including health and long term care, have considerable implications for Member States. The debate on a European framework should not refer to the regulation or harmonisation of such services but rather to a voluntary framework wherein convergence is sought between Member States on common principles and actions, respecting the principle of subsidiarity. Another area is that of family policies, which is crucial in promoting solidarity between generations and in maintaining and consolidating social cohesion. However, it must here be emphasised that family policy is Member State competence. It is therefore important that any future discussions in the area of reconciliation of work and family life and equal opportunities take the national realities and specificities as defined in each Member State’s national public policy into account. The principle of solidarity underpins our social welfare system. Solidarity between and within generations is a major issue for the State in terms of policies and service delivery in relation to social protection, health services and employment in particular. A caring society that is close to the needs of its citizens relies on solidarity. Although Member States have different national systems which reflect differing historical developments we do share a common understanding of the importance of solidarity between generations. Thus it makes sense that we could cooperate with each other on these issues but in doing so we need to strike the right balance with the principle of subsidiarity. I believe that in this field, exchange of good practices allow Member States to learn valuable lessons from each other. Therefore, solidarity can only become more visible if supported by all. This is indispensable for EU progress and success which should result in a more productive and dynamic Europe that effectively responds to the needs and aspirations of its citizens.

Speech by Hon J Dalli, at the certificate giving ceremony organised by The Medicines Authority marking the end of a twinning light project between Malta And the Netherlands.

15/07/2008

Dr Jan Willem van der Laan, Ladies and gentlemen Good afternoon. I feel honoured to be invited to this occasion of the closing of the Twinning 'light' project between the Medicines Authority in Malta which was the beneficiary of this project and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport of the Netherlands (the member state twinning partner). This project entitled 'Further capacity building at the Medicines Authority' was funded from funds of the European Union through the 2005 Transition Facility National Programme for Malta and the total amount approved was of Euro 157,750. The Medicines Authority had already benefitted from European funding for a previous twinning project which took place over the period February 2003 to October 2004. This pre-accession project was aimed at setting up the Medicines Authority in preparation for EU accession. Since accession the Medicines Authority took on a number of additional responsibilities that were not specifically covered by the first project. These additional responsibilities originated from: - new European legislation which was aimed at increasing the protection of public heath such as in the areas of clinical trials and use of medicines in children and - additional licensing activities for medicinal products and pharmaceutical activities in line with the demands of the local industry. This brought about the need for further training and capacity building and support for training was obtained through this project. Since Malta's accession into the EU, the remit of the Medicines Authority has expanded particularly due to the demand for the Medicines Authority to start acting as a Reference Member State (RMS) in the Mutual Recognition and in the Decentralised procedures. This required that the local assessors got highly trained and specialised in this type of scientific assessment. Therefore the training programme included a focus on the assessment of generic products both in terms of quality assessment and bioequivalence. The benefits of this training are already being felt, as the first application for registration of a product with Malta as Reference Member State was submitted in January 2008 by a local manufacturing company. This procedure is ongoing and is proceeding well. There are commitments for 4 other procedures to start by the end of 2008. A strong regulatory framework is necessary to support the local pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and the expanding economic activity in this area. In Malta there are currently 7 medicines manufacturers of finished products, 2 manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients and five licensed partial manufacturers. Through the visits of local inspectors to observe inspections in the Netherlands the Medicines Authority has expanded its capacity for inspection in line with the local needs. Malta has transposed legislation regarding blood and its safe use. 12 healthcare professionals from Public Health Regulation, from the National Blood Transfusion and from hospitals (public and private) attended the training on adverse reactions to blood products. The training provided through this session was intended to contribute to safer use and administration of blood in Malta. I am confident that this training will result in tangible outcomes. I would like to thank Dr Jan Willem van der Laan, the project leader from the Twinning Partner for his dedication and support to this project. I would like him to communicate our appreciation to his colleagues at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment and also to the other collaborating bodies - the Medicines Evaluation Board and the Health Care inspectorate. I also thank all the local collaborators who supported this project at its different stages. I congratulate the Medicines Authority and all its staff for their comitment at finalising this project and for getting prepared to move on to the new challenges ahead. I hope that the collaboration between the Medicines Authority and all its stakeholders continues to grow for the good of public health and for increased support to local pharmaceutical activities. My Ministry is in full support of the Medicines Authority in fulfilling these objectives. DOI – 9.07.2008

Hatriet godda fil-Bordijiet ta' l-Awtorita' tad-Djar u Tal-Korporazzjoni Ghax-Xoghol u t-Tahrig

08/07/2008

L-Onor John Dalli, Ministru ghall-Politika Socjali dalghodu hatar il-bord il-gdid tal-Awtorita’ tad-Djar li hu maghmul minn:

Chairperson:
Is-Sur Charles Borg

Membri:

Dr Maria Grima
Dr Daniela Mangion
Dr Paula Mifsud Bonnici
Is-Sur Robert Farrugia Vella
Dr George Grech
Is-Sur Karl Hyzler
Dr Saviour Gauci

Il-Ministru Dalli hatar ukoll il-bord tal-Korporazzjoni ghax-Xoghol u t-Tahrig (l-ETC) li hu maghmul minn:

Chairperson:
Dr Sandra Sladden

Vici-Chairman:
Is-Sur Frank Zammit

Membri:

Is-Sinjura Marvic Attard
Is-Sinjura Greta Bugeja
Is-Sinjura Philo Meli
Is-Sur Joe Camilleri
Is-Sur Michael Mercieca
Is-Sur Louis Cuschieri
Is-Sur Joe Farrugia
Is-Sur George Galea
Is-Sur James Parsall

Speech by the Hon. J. Dalli, Minister For Social Policy at the workshop on flexicurity Organised by the 'Forum Malta Fl-Ewropa'- Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta - 18th June 2008

08/07/2008

Today we are talking of a new word made of up of two: flexibility and security, and for me, this is also showing the way we are thinking. We are thinking on reconciling – reconciling the future necessities with the stock of ethics in human relationships, and here what we are trying to do is to reconcile the two things, because one can think and say that in the present situation with globalisation we have to be flexible and adaptable in order to be productive. That would send us completely into a situation were we forget the other concept – human relationships. We are here to put our heads together and see were the benefits are. The benefits are in these two things that coexist. We cannot be traditional and do not address the present situation; and on the other hand we cannot rush on the relationship mechanism that exist today in our society for the sake of flexibility. Flexibility is being brought about by globalisation – globalisation is changing Europe’s economy and the way we used to do things in the past and consequently is pushing prices up, of all imaginable commodities, now including food. These new phenomena which we are seeing are changing our economy with certain speed. It’s useless to put our heads in the sand. We have to take it and we have to adapt to it, and here is where flexibility comes in. We have to be flexible to ensure we provide job security. The pressures for flexibility are not only coming from efficiency but there are also the pressures deriving from social perspective – work family balance - which is also very important for the Maltese economy. We need the female input in our economy. We must enhance female participation in the Maltese economy and at the same time keeping our traditional family values. We also have to envelope flexibility with the concept of security because unsecure people are not productive. People do not only need to know where they are but also where are they going. In my view flexibility has to have a national aspect as well such as in the social pact, because I believe the security part has to be overlaid by a national policy.