Our communal national interest

by
Censu Galea
Minister for Competitiveness and Communications

www.mcmp.gov.mt

Forty years of Independent Malta have been commemorated and are now part of history. The remarkable accomplishments made throughout the course of our development as a nation since 1964, are a success story, allowing us finally to meet our European vocation, and form part of a European Union of twenty-five, seeking at constantly maximising the political, economic, social and cultural dimensions for all its citizens. Efficiency, accountability and delivery are of the essence to these concepts and that is precisely what we are implementing in government here too.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was clear and unmistakable when last Monday he highlighted Malta’s priorities for the years to come. It is no longer consented or tenable that certain work practices continue to be carried out, as here lies the interest of our nation as a whole, and not of a selected few. I believe that it has now transpired through various contributions in the media that one of the paramount sectors which is being targeted are our ports. We have spoken too much about them. Too many reports have been commissioned. They served as the basis for discussion within the Ports Consultative Council, but yet again, all stakeholders have discussed and re-discussed this issue for far too long now to resume this all over again.

The Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, the Federation of Industry and in the past few days, the General Workers Union, have at my office expressed their satisfaction that government will in the near future set the ball rolling into actions whilst implementing this reform. All have a direct or indirect interest that these goals are achieved, and I appreciate their determination to be on board with government.

I hope that now everyone identifies responsibilities and shortcomings and recognizes that change is due. Believing in the interest of the worker does not mean that the worker will linger on to practices of twenty, thirty years ago. Neither will we accept that certain workers within the port structure are idle all day long. I hope that when rights will be defended it will not be the rights of the selected few, or a small section of an institution or organisation interested within our ports. I augur that the right to work, the right to attract further investments, and the right to get paid for what is efficiently delivered are top on their agenda.

If we agree that ship-shore operations should not be separated as is the practice today, will the interested parties be in tandem to form cooperatives quoting competitive tariffs for their task? Ship agents claim that they are not in a position to develop and attract more cargo to Malta due to added expenses from the service providers. Rightly so, but here too, will there be agreement for the setting up of one terminal operator taking care of all the operations against set tariffs, thus stopping completely the practice that monies are handled by ship agents and cargo handling company, resulting again in double practices?

I believe that port workers agree that in today’s working environment productivity and cost-effectiveness are not enhanced through present methods of work. It is the efficiency that counts here. If we achieve that, I am more than confident that incomes could possibly increase. What I am surely confident of is that none of the service providers within the port regime express pleasure at stating that import/export operations in Malta are amongst the most expensive in the Mediterranean. It surely does not make any logic to me, that abiding by this statement, present service providers will linger to present practices and boast of this scenario, whilst refusing change.

I also call upon the Malta Labour Party to pull up its socks, and as the second largest party in Malta, admit to the need of this reform. It is high time that the Opposition looks upon issues of national interest keeping in mind a national consensus. That is political maturity. But MLP has the habit of keeping aback, and when the process is over, comments. Is this what they mean by a political responsibility to the people? Some things do indeed never change.

2004 will mark the end of port reform finalised discussions, the details, contingencies and the way forward. 2005 will be the year when most changes are planned to take place.