Month: May 2025

An unprecedented investment of over €45 million will see educators and staff at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) benefit from a landmark agreement, featuring significant salary increases and improved working conditions. This strategic initiative not only recognises the vital role of MCAST’s workforce but also ensures that students continue to receive an enhanced educational experience.

Prior to the signing of the new collective agreement, Prime Minister Robert Abela described this agreement as a significant and strategic investment in Malta’s education sector. He emphasised that, in line with government commitments, the agreement delivers substantial improvements for MCAST educators including accelerated career progression, robust salary increases, and the introduction of new allowances. All together the collective agreement will enable MCAST to attract top talent across specialised sectors. Beyond improved working conditions, the agreement places strong emphasis on enhancing classroom quality and safeguarding student welfare, with the aim of enriching the overall educational experience. All together these improvements will empower students with clearer pathways and real opportunities to succeed in life.

The Prime Minister noted that today we live in a society full of opportunities including vocational ones and we must continue responding to students’ aspirations. Adding that educators are the driving force of the education sector and a key pillar in vocational training. He also confirmed the government’s continued investment in the sector, through the reopening of the MCAST crafts school in the next vocational year.

Highlighting the government’s broader vision, Prime Minister Abela stated that as a government that believes in social justice, it must necessarily prioritise education. Referring to the Vision Malta 2050, he affirmed the government’s commitment to priorities education that translates into the best opportunities and careers for Maltese and Gozitan youth, particularly in sectors that drive economic value. Prime Minister Abela also noted that MCAST students are among those youths, who for the first or second year are given an annual grant of €500 for a maximum period of three years, with a total grant of €1,500 for continuing their education beyond the compulsory age.

Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima added that this agreement addresses multiple aspects of the various professions it covers from substantial financial improvements to day-to-day working conditions. “Our education system must remain proactive and responsive to today’s realities. Throughout negotiations, our goal was to propose sustainable measures that reflect the duties of each profession, while keeping students at the centre,” Minister Clifton Grima said.

MCAST Principal Stephen Vella described the new collective agreement as a meaningful recognition of the vital role played by the College’s educators and staff dedicated professionals who work tirelessly in pursuit of excellence and who are shaping the leaders of tomorrow. This investment speaks volumes not just for our workforce, but for every student who walks through our doors,” Stephen Vella said. “It supports those who aspire to grow as individuals and professionals, who aim to compete not only locally but globally, and who are looking for more than just a certificate they are seeking an experience that transforms their lives,” he continued. He also said that this agreement translates into a robust and dynamic vocational education sector, for the benefit of every student.

Also addressing the occasion, Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) President Marco Bonnici highlighted the long-term vision behind the agreement. “The seeds we planted in this agreement are now bearing fruit with this latest development, which continues to strengthen parity among Malta’s higher education institutions,” Marco Bonnici said. Significantly, he noted that for the first time, MCAST will introduce the title of Professor for eligible academic grades covered by this agreement a historic step forward for the institution.

Il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela żar il-villaġġ tal-artiġjanat Ta’ Dbieġi f’Għarb u Dream of Horses, iċ-Ċentru ta’ Terapija Multi-Funzjonali biż-Żwiemel. Dawn iż-żewġ inizjattivi, għalkemm differenti, jagħtu kontribut importanti għall-iżvilupp sostenibbli ta’ Għawdex.

F’Ta’ Dbieġi, li huwa l-eqdem raħal artiġjanali f’Għawdex, il-Prim Ministru flimkien mal-Ministru għal Għawdex u l-Ippjanar Clint Camilleri u l-Ministru għall-Ekonomija, l-Intrapriża u Proġetti Strateġiċi Silvio Schembri, iltaqa’ ma’ għadd ta’ ħaddiema tal-artiġjanat u sidien ta’ ħwienet, fejn sema’ dwar ix-xogħol artistiku tagħhom u l-kontribut li dan jagħti lit-turiżmu. Hawnhekk il-Prim Ministru saħaq dwar l-importanza li l-Gvern qed ikompli jappoġġja dawn is-setturi permezz ta’ fondi għal modernizzazzjoni, fondi Ewropej u inċentivi għal intrapriżi żgħar Għawdxin li jridu jkomplu jikbru.

Wara din iż-żjara, il-Prim Ministru flimkien mal-Ministru għall-Agrikoltura, is-Sajd u d-Drittijiet tal-Annimali Anton Refalo, żar iċ-Ċentru Terapewtiku  Dream of Horses. Hawnhekk iltaqa’ mat-tmexxija ta’ dan iċ-ċentru li spjegaw kif din il-faċilità qed toffri servizzi ta’ terapija biż-żwiemel għal persuni b’diffikultajiet ta’ saħħa mentali jew li għaddew minn episodji ta’ abbuż f’ħajjithom. Huwa rringrazzja lil dawk kollha involuti għall-impenn tagħhom li permezz tan-natura u l-annimali qed jgħinu sabiex nies li għaddew minn diffikultajiet f’ħajjithom isibu refuġju f’din it-tip ta’ terapija.

Waqt din iż-żjara il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela tkellem dwar l-importanza li Għawdex jibqa’ jiżviluppa b’mod sostenibbli fejn il-valur ekonomiku, soċjali u kulturali jingħaqdu flimkien. “Il-kreattività tal-artiġġjanat u dak li naraw f’inizjattivi bħalma huma Dream of Horses, juru l-qalba ta’ dak li rridu għal Għawdex: komunità ħajja u li toffri futur b’saħħtu għall-ġenerazzjonijiet li ġejjin. Il-miżuri li ħadna favur l-ekonomija Għawdxija u l-innovazzjoni fit-turiżmu jkomplu jsaħħu din il-viżjoni,” temm jghid il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela.

L-Expo għas-Servizz Pubbliku serva bħala pjattaforma biex jilqa’ fi ħdanu laqgħa oħra tal-Youth Advisory Forum. Dan b’differenza mill-prassi stabbiliti fejn il-laqgħat ta’ dan il-forum isiru ġewwa l-Berġa ta’ Kastilja.

Fl-indirizz tiegħu fil-bidu ta’ din il-laqgħa, il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela sostna s-sodisfazzjon tiegħu għall-fatt li dan il-Forum ħadem b’tant suċċess fl-aħħar xhur fejn mhux biss saru diskussjonijiet serji u tekniċi fuq numru ta’ suġġetti importanti għall-pajjiż, xprunati miż-żgħażagħ infushom, iżda wkoll dawk id-diskussjonijiet wasslu għat-tfassil ta’ politika fuq bażi nazzjonali fuq materji importanti.

“Id-diskussjoni magħkom li kellna dwar l-ewtanasja volontarja assistita kif tafu wasslet biex il-prodott eventwali li kellu jitla’ quddiem il-Kabinett, saru emendi għalih, u huwa sewwa li saru u l-format li użajna dakinhar, it-tema ġiet ittrattata quddiem il-Youth Advisory Forum saħansitra qabel li marret quddiem il-Kabinett tal-Ministri,” sostna l-Prim Ministru hekk kif irrimarka li qed iħares ’il quddiem li dan il-format mhux biss inżommuh iżda saħansitra nsaħħuh.”

Intant, dwar it-tema ċentrali ta’ din il-laqgħa, jiġifieri l-Viżjoni Malta 2050, il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela sostna kif din ukoll twieldet minn diskussjonijiet li bħala pajjiż għandu jkollna policies immirati taħt kappa waħda u li jħarsu ’l quddiem fuq medda twila ta’ żmien.

“Hija viżjoni ta’ poplu u biex tkun viżjoni tal-pajjiż wieħed u ta’ leġiżlaturi separati u suċċessivi bilfors irid ikun hemm il-kontribut tal-poplu u hawnhekk ukoll illum qegħdin hawnhekk biex nisimgħu l-veduti tagħkom fuq is-suġġett u nħares ’il quddiem li jkollna diskussjoni libera u franka kif dejjem ikollna,” temm jgħid il-Prim Ministru.

Fost it-temi li ddiskuta l-Youth Advisory Forum f’din il-laqgħa kien hemm il-migrazzjoni u l-ħaddiema barranin f’setturi li għandhom biżżejjed ħaddiema, l-użu tal-enerġija rinnovabbli u drittijiet fuq enerġija solari fl-industrija tal-kostruzzjoni, it-trasport u miżuri biex tonqos id-dipendenza fuq vetturi privati u jiżdied l-użu tat-trasport pubbliku, ir-reklamazzjoni tal-art u spazji pubbliċi, it-turiżmu u sigurtà b’rabta mal-ikel fost oħrajn.

In just six years, Malta has seen a 47% increase in the number of persons with disabilities in employment. This confirms the government’s commitment to keep investing in policies that promote inclusion. This milestone was remarked by Prime Minister Robert Abela during an event marking the 10th anniversary of the Lino Spiteri Foundation. Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Robert Abela stated that, “In 2019, just over 3,600 persons with disabilities were in employment in Malta. This year, that number has risen to nearly 5,400. That’s a remarkable increase of more than 47% in six years”. He emphasised that this achievement is no coincidence, but the result of targeted, thoughtful policy. 

Prime Minister Robert Abela reaffirmed the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening inclusion, adding, that it will continue to invest in policies that promote inclusion, while enhancing existing support schemes and collaborate with businesses to foster workplaces that are accessible, flexible, and welcoming to all. He also underscored the importance of viewing persons with disabilities not as passive recipients of aid, but as active agents of change in a modern, open society.

The event also marked the official launch of the Level 4 Programme – Headstart for Employment, a new initiative developed by the Lino Spiteri Foundation. This programme aims to boost employability through a blend of structured learning units, individual coaching sessions, and simulated workplace experiences. In fact, 25 individuals graduated after completing a course that equipped them with essential skills for the workplace. The Prime Minister praised the initiative, noting that this programme is not just educational but goes beyond skills as it builds self-confidence, strengthens autonomy, and prepares participants to enter the workforce with resilience and readiness. He commended the Lino Spiteri Foundation for building bridges and creating opportunities.

Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Byron Camilleri, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive society. “Through the Malta Labour Migration Policy, the Government strongly believes it is our collective responsibility to build a society where inclusion is at the core of all we do”, said the minister. “That is why, as part of the newly implemented Malta Labour Migration Policy, developed through public consultation. a key measure requires full compliance with the national employment quota of 2% for persons with disabilities before applications to employ third-country nationals can be submitted. Alternatively, employers must pay the applicable annual contribution.”

This policy underscores the government’s firm belief that employment opportunities should prioritise Maltese citizens, particularly individuals with disabilities, before considering foreign labour. Minister Byron Camilleri emphasised that true integration goes beyond legal compliance. It calls for a proactive commitment to creating inclusive workplaces that cater to the diverse needs of employees. Every worker brings unique value, and it is our duty to ensure each individual is empowered to succeed and contribute meaningfully to our country.

Il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela nieda t-tieni wirja ta’ MUŻA fis-sensiela ‘MUŻA Ħdejk’, li titfa’ lenti fuq il-ġenju artistiku lokali Giuseppe Calì. Il-wirja li bdiet fil-Bażilika tal-Madonna ta’ Porto Salvo u San Duminku fil-Belt Valletta se tkompli għaddejja sal-4 ta’ Ġunju 2025. Wara dan, se tittella’ fil-Bażilika tas-Santwarju ta’ Marija Assunta fil-Mosta mit-12 sal-25 ta’ Ġunju, u żżur Ħal Lija u Tas-Sliema aktar tard matul is-sena.

F’indirizz li għamel il-Prim Ministru qabel it-tnedija ta’ din il-wirja, saħaq li l-inizjattiva ta’ Heritage Malta hi waħda importanti għax tressaq l-arti u l-kultura qrib il-komunità. Qal li dan kollu jkompli jsaħħaħ l-identità Maltija li aħna tant kburin biha. Il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela spjega li għaddej ħafna investiment fil-qasam tal-arti u l-kultura, żewġ oqsma kontributuri ewlenin fl-ekonomija li qed inkomplu niddirezzjonawha lejn il-kwalità u kif tibqa’ sservi ta’ ġid għan-nies.

Il-Ministru għall-Wirt Nazzjonali, l-Arti u l-Gvern Lokali Owen Bonnici qal li l-proġett “MUŻA ħdejk” huwa eżempju ċar ta’ kif l-arti tista’ tasal  għand in-nies, flok bil-maqlub. Din l-inizjattiva tixhed viżjoni matura u inklussiva, fejn kulħadd, kemm dawk li jħobbu l-arti kif ukoll dawk li forsi qatt ma rrikonoxxew il-valur tagħha, jingħataw l-opportunità japprezzaw ġmiel u patrimonju nazzjonali. “Prosit lil Heritage Malta u lil kull min ħadem biex dan isir realtà. L-arti għandha tkun għal kulħadd u dan hu pass kbir f’dik id-direzzjoni,” temm jgħid il-Ministru Bonnici.

Mario Cutajar, id-Direttur tal-MUŻA, Chairman ta’ Heritage Malta u l-kuratur ta’ din il-wirja, qal, “Il-Mużew Nazzjonali tal-Arti tal-Komunità, magħruf iktar bħala MUŻA, ma jkunx komplut mingħajr il-komunità. Hemm diversi modi kif il-MUŻA jkun fil-komunità u magħha, imma wieħed minn dawn il-modi huwa li minflok dan il-mużew jistennik biss li żżuru int, hu stess idewqek dak li għandu esebit, billi jidħol fil-qalba tal-komunità. Dak hu l-qofol ta’ ‘MUŻA Ħdejk’, u huwa għalhekk li din il-wirja mhux se tieqaf f’lokalità waħda, imma se ddur erba’ postijiet, biex turi l-firxa ta’ xogħlijiet ta’ dan l-artist li ħalla impatt qawwi fuq ix-xena artistika Maltija. Il-Malta Biennale, li jinsab fit-tieni edizzjoni tiegħu, u l-aġġornament sħiħ li qed isir fis-swali kollha tal-MUŻA, ukoll jindirizzaw din il-ħtieġa,” temm jgħid is-Sur Cutajar.

Patri Michael Camilleri, il-Kappillan tal-Bażilika tal-Madonna ta’ Porto Salvo u San Duminku, qal, “Huwa apprezzat mill-komunità Dumnikana tal-Belt Valletta li din il-wirja dwar Giuseppe Calì, wild l-istess parroċċa, bdiet il-mixja tagħha mill-Knisja ta’ San Duminku li hija mogħnija, fost kapolavuri oħra, bix-xogħlijiet ta’ Calì.” Huwa semma r-restawr estensiv li sar fil-knisja fl-aħħar seba’ snin, inkluż fuq ix-xogħlijiet kollha ta’ Calì, u faħħar l-għajnuna li ngħatat grazzi għall-fondi mill-Unjoni Ewropea, il-Fond għall-Kawżi Soċjali, Bank of Valletta u benefatturi oħra biex dan ir-restawr iseħħ. Huwa rringrazzja partikolarment lil Heritage Malta, li għenet ħafna tul il-proċess kollu u li issa qed tippubblika fi ktieb ir-restawr kollu li sar u tagħrif siewi ieħor.

‘MUŻA Ħdejk’ hija inizjattiva ta’ aċċessibbiltà maħsuba biex twassal xogħlijiet mill-kollezzjoni nazzjonali tal-arti eqreb lejn il-pubbliku, billi ssellifhom temporanjament lil lokalitajiet differenti li magħhom għandhom rabta. Il-wirja l-ġdida tagħti ħarsa lejn it-talent eċċezzjonali ta’ Calì u l-modi kif kien iwassal l-arti tiegħu billi ġġib flimkien taħt saqaf wieħed għadd ta’ kapolavuri tiegħu – inkluż ‘Il-Mewt ta’ Dragut’ (mislufa minn MUŻA) – maġenb xogħlijiet minn kontemporanji tiegħu, abbozzi, ir-reġistri tat-twelid u l-mewt tiegħu, u aktar dokumenti li jitfgħu dawl fuq aspetti ta’ ħajtu. Il-ħinijiet tal-ftuħ tal-Bażilika tal-Madonna ta’ Porto Salvo u San Duminku fil-Belt Valletta huma mill-10:00 sas-19:00. Id-dħul huwa kompletament bla ħlas, u l-pubbliku jista’ jidħol fiha mill-bieb prinċipali fi Triq il-Merkanti.