Malta’s geographical position means that most of our manufacturing industry must import its raw materials and has to export its merchandise via container
The discussion on cannabis reform should be postponed until after a general election to avoid the issue devolving into a political football match, a group of some of the country’s major social partners have said.
“It would be better if this White Paper is not discussed in the confrontational environment of an election, where there is danger of it becoming a political football match, and decisions could be made that may appeal to minorities with vested interests and not in the interest of society at large,” they said in a letter to both political parties in parliament.
“The necessary research must be carried out as well as a social impact report. Consultation must be carried out with all involved parties, including social partners, before decisions are made. This should be done objectively after the election and without pressure on parties to marginally gain votes during their electoral campaign.”
The government should not introduce national legislation on the right to disconnect, the Malta Chamber and the Malta Business Bureau said on Friday.
Moreover, jumpstarting a process at European level was neither necessary nor time appropriate , they said.
The right to disconnect allows workers to cut off from work-related activity during out-of-office hours, giving them the right to not respond to emails or phone calls in the evenings or weekends, for instance.
Last month, MEP Alex Agius Saliba told
The Malta Independent minister Carmelo Abela had indicated to him that the government wanted to introduce the right to disconnect before the EU passed its own directive on the issue.