Bonġu News on 14 December 2022

Part-time ground handlers claim discrimination

Five former part-time Air Malta ground handlers have claimed the airline discriminated against them.

The workers said they were not offered the same opportunities and benefits as their full-time colleagues.

Earlier this month, Air Malta terminated hundreds of its employees, with an early retirement scheme for full-timers.

In a judicial letter sent to the airline on Monday, the part-timers demanded the same termination benefits.

Ground handling was taken over by a new company formed between Air Malta and Italian Aviation Services SpA.

The employees will take their case to court if Air Malta doesn’t take action until Friday.

Bolt Food terminates self-employed drivers

The delivery platform Bolt Food will no longer work with self-employed courier drivers.

On Monday, self-employed drivers were informed that their agreements would be terminated within 30 days.

Those wishing to continue working with Bolt Food have to register as an employee of a work agency.

This change comes two months after the government announced new legislation to regulate digital platform workers.

The Times of Malta reached out to Bolt, however the company just confirmed its decision, without explaining the details.

Metsola: ‘European democracy under attack’

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has warned that “European democracy is under attack”.

Metsola’s comments on Monday followed allegations that Qatar had bribed EU officials to gain influence.

Belgian police have arrested four people, among them EP Vice-President Eva Kaili.

The four have been charged with corruption and money-laundering. Qatar has denied any wrongdoing.

Eva Kaili was stripped of her position as a vice president in a vote on Tuesday.

G7 leaders: ‘Unwavering support to Ukraine’

The Group of Seven leaders pledged on Monday to give “unwavering support” and solidarity to Ukraine.

They have promised to boost the country with military and air defence systems.

“Russia can end this war immediately by ceasing its attacks against Ukraine and completely and unconditionally withdrawing its forces from the territory of Ukraine”, the G7 leaders said in their statement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked the G7 leaders to maintain their support next year.

He said Ukraine would like to offer a peace solution, beginning with asking Russia to start withdrawing troops this Christmas.

Abortion: President breaks tradition

President George Vella has broken with tradition when he raised the issue of abortion during his Republic Day speech.

After arriving at the Grand Master’s Palace to much less applause than in previous years, Vella was the first to deliver his annual address.

He said “I want to express my hope that we can find solutions that address all the points that are being raised during this debate”.

The president usually does not comment on laws being discussed in parliament, however Vella said he felt that these were particular circumstances.

17 individuals have been honoured during this year’s Republic Day ceremony, among them late Nationalist MP Robert Arrigo and former TV journalist Anna Bonanno.

Il-Ħsieb: Why do children still have to meet perpetrators?

How should the state’s institutions deal with children in domestic violence cases? Cedric Farrugia raises some important questions.