Press Release - 20/12/11 - Various Leftist organisations criticise Government’s position

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left, Moviment Graffiti, Moviment Azzjoni Xellug (MAX), Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust, Third World Group and the Communist Party of Malta, expressed their disapproval to the rigid position taken by the Maltese Government, against the financial transaction tax in the EU Summit.

“This is another example of Governments’ lack of solidarity,” said the organisations.

“While the Maltese Government spoke against this ‘just’ taxation, other bodies, such as the European Parliament, the Confederation of European Trade Unions and the Vatican spoke in favour. In Malta , Alternattiva Demokratika had also declared its full support for this proposal”.

“The leftist organisations view Government’s position as one that benefits only the upper classes. The Government’s position is not backed by socio-economic studies to justify the position taken”.

“As it appears, the Maltese Government has also failed to recognise that the European Union is undergoing economic and social crises, and in this particular moment solidarity should have been a priority.

“Government should give clarification about its alternative proposal to the financial transaction tax. The other EU proposals were an increase in VAT taxation, more reduction in social spending and more austerity measures”.

“The Government has also failed to recognise that neo liberal economic policies permitted speculations especially in banking and financial sector, which led to the collapse of the economic system. To save banks from bankruptcy, governments and EU institutions have issued trillions of Euros of taxpayers’ money”.

The organisations reiterate that Government should not obstruct this proposal, and we appeal other organisations and political parties to support this ‘just’ taxation.

Michael Camilleri
President
Mob: 7928 2983

Press Release - 26/12/11 - "Malta should shift to renewable energy and gas" Zminijietna

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left reiterated its stand in favour of sustainable energy use in Malta. The organisation declared its opposition on dirty energy based on fossil fuels as is the case with heavy fuel oil and carbon capture storage. Żminijietna said that people’s health and the environment come before profits of big businesses.

“Dependency on dirty fossil fuels will only postpone problems related to climate change and to the ever-increasing price of such limited sources of energy. Malta should shift to gas, as a transitional energy, as early as possible and investment much more in clean renewable energy, such as solar and wind to reach the 10 per cent target committed with the EU by 2020. We also believe that renewable energy use should increase further after the 2020 target”.

“As regards gas, even though it is a finite fossil fuel, which, like oil, is expected to increase in cost, the truth is that it is much less polluting than other fossil fuels, though being more expensive”.

“The use of such fossil fuels means CO2 will increase. In what sounds too good to be true, the difference is that the CO2 is supposed to be captured forever”.

“Heavy fuel oil might be cheaper than other fossil fuels, but its negative impacts on the environment and on people’s health are too big to ignore. Besides, its price will keep increasing given that oil has limited supply. As regards Carbon Capture Storage (CCS), its use is too risky, and the world is already late in the battle against climate change. Captured CO2 through CCS needs to be transported to its storage, emitting CO2 in the process. Once the CO2 is dumped, CCS leakage could cancel out any climate benefit as do the increased energy requirements of CCS technology. Zminijienta is also concerned about the hidden costs of using this technology, which depends on fossil fuels such as coal and oil”.

David Pisani
Public Relations Officer
Żminijietna - Voice of the Left
Mob: 79536914

Click here to access Press Release archive, including Maltese version for each release

Konferenza Stampa minn numru ta’ Għaqdiet/Partiti
12 ta’ Novembru 2011

“Nħeġġu l-Parlament Malti jappoġġja t-taxxa fuq it-transazzjonijiet Finanzjarji (FTT)”

Żminijietna – Leħen ix-Xellug flimkien ma’ Moviment Graffitti, Moviment Azzjoni Xellug, Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust, Third World Group u l-Partit Komunista Malti, qed nħeġġu lill-Parlament Malti biex il-programm ekonomiku għas-sena 2012 jkun jinkludi rabta li tappoġġja l-proposta Ewropea favur taxxa fuq it-transazzjonijiet Finanzjarji (FTT), li tressqet fil-Parlament Ewropew mis-Soċjalista Anni Podimata.

“Il-proposta qiegħda issib l-appoġġ tal-Parlament Ewropew, u tal-Konfederazzjoni Ta’ Trejdjunjins Ewropej u l-Vatikan. Il-pajjiżi Industrializzati ta’ G20 jaqblu wkoll mall-kunċett”.

“Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea wkoll qed titkellem favur u timbotta l-introduzzjoni ta’ din it-taxxa. Infatti bħalissa qed jitħejja abbozz għall-konsiderazzjoni tal-Parlament u l-Kunsill Ewropew.” 

“Il-Kummissjoni Ewropea qed tagħraf li l-Unjoni Ewropa għaddejja minn kriżi ekonomika u soċjali. Illum wasalna f’sitwazzjoni fejn l-Unjoni Ewropea mhiex qed tiġġenera dħul biżżejjed biex tkun tista’ tgħin lil dawk il-pajjiżi li jinsabu fi stat ta’ kriżi. Jidher ċar li għal dan in-nuqqas qed jagħmlu tajjeb il-ħaddiema b’aktar miżuri ta’ awsterita`, aktar taxxi, tnaqqis fil-kundizzjonijiet tax-xogħol u b’telfien ta’ mpjiegi”.

“Il-politika ekonomika neoliberali ippermettiet libertinaġġ spekulattiv speċjalment fil-qasam bankarju, li ġab kollass finanzjarju u żbroffa din il-kriżi. Biex isalvaw banek u stati minn falliment, Gvernijiet ta’ l-UE ħarġu triljuni ta’ Ewro li għad iridu jitħallsu lura mill-popli Ewropej”.

“Konsegwenza ta’ dawn il-‘Bail outs’ il-faqar fl-Unjoni Ewropea żdied minn 55miljun persuna għal 85miljun persuna, filwaqt li xogħol prekarju, it-tnaqqis fil-benefiċċji soċjali u l-privatizazzjoni ta’ aktar servizzi pubbliċi saru parti ntegrali mill-mudell ekonomiku Ewropew, li wkoll ħa xejra ‘neo liberali’.” 

“Meta nħarsu lejn dak li qed iseħħ u lejn il-problemi li qegħdin jifnu lill-ħaddiema u l-familji tagħhom llum, malajr nifhmu kemm huwa għaqli li bħala pajjiż nappoggjaw bis-sħiħ it-taxxa fuq it-transizzjonijiet finanzjarji, li hija progressiva.”

“Biex tikkumbatti l-kriżi il-Kummissjoni teħtieġ fondi li qed tipproponi li ġġib b’din it-taxxa, li minbarra li tintuża għas-salvataġġ ta’ l-Ewro, parti minnha tmur għall-baġit ta’ l-UE u parti oħra tinfirex fuq kull gvern konċernat. Għaldaqstant ser tgħin biex ninbarkaw lejn ‘Ewropa Socjali’ u aktar ġusta”.

Għalhekk inħeġġu wkoll lit-trejdjunjins, is-soċjeta` ċivili, għaqdiet ta’ l-istudenti, l-Knisja kattolika, għaqdiet u partiti oħra biex jappoġġjaw bis-sħiħ din il-proposta Ewropea.
Nappellaw lill-Parlament Malti biex fid-dawl ta’ sitwazzjoni soċio-ekonomika lokali u Ewropea preżenti jevalwa din il-proposta u jaddottha fuq il-merti ekonomiċi u soċjali pożittivi tagħha.

Dejjem tagħkom,
Michael Camilleri
President
Mob: 7928 2983

 

Press Conference:-  Group of NGOs/Parties
12th November 2011

 

“We urge the Maltese Parliament to support the Financial Transactions Tax (FTT)”

Żminijietna - Voice of the Left together with Moviment Graffitti, Moviment Azzjoni Xellug, Koperattiva Kummerċ Ġust, Third World Group and Communist Party Malta are demanding that the Maltese Parliament includes in the economic program for 2012, a provision to support the European proposal for the tax on financial transactions (FTT), which was tabled in the European Parliament by the Socialist Anni Podimata.
 
“The proposal has the support of the European Parliament, the Confederation of European Trade Unions (ETUC) and the Vatican. The industrialized countries of the G20 are also in favour of this concept”.

“The European Commission is also advocating and pushing for the introduction of this tax. Indeed it is currently drawing up a draft for consideration by Parliament and European Council”.

“The European Commission is aware that the European Union is undergoing an economic and social crisis. Today we have reached a situation where the European Union is not generating enough income to be able to help those countries who are in a state of crisis. It is clear that workers are carrying the burden through more austerity measures, more taxes, reduction in their working conditions and loss of jobs”.

“The neoliberal economic policies enabled ‘casino speculation’ especially in the banking system which led to a financial meltdown and caused this crisis. To save banks and states from bankruptcy, EU governments are bailing them out with trillions of euros, which will have to be repaid by the common people”.

“A consequence of these bail outs, poverty in the European Union increased from 55million to 85million people, while casual labour, reduction in social benefits and privatization of most public services have become an integral part of the European economic model, based on  neo liberalism, the real cause of this crisis.”

“When we look at what is happening and the problems that are facing workers and their families today, it is easy to understand why Malta must fully support the tax on financial transactions, which is progressive . To combat this crisis the Commission requires funds and this tax is a measure to ensure this. Besides being used for the rescue of the Euro, part of the income from the FTT goes to the European budget and and the other part is received directly by national governments. This will help to move forward towards a 'Social Europe'.

We appeal to trade unions, the civil society, representatives of students, the Catholic church and other parties to fully support this European proposal.

We also appeal to the Maltese Parliament, in view of the local and European socio-economic situation to study this proposal and adopt it on its positive economic and social merits.

Best Regards,
Michael Camilleri
President
Mob: 7928 2983

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Art Exhibition

Poverty is a reality which we cannot overlook and it comes in many facets and aspects and it secludes individuals from mainstream society. To raise awareness and combat poverty the European Commission has designated the year 2010 for Poverty and Social Exclusion.

To commemorate this European year, Zminijietna Voice of the Left a non profit organization working for social justice and equal opportunities is organizing an Art exhi...bition on the theme of Poverty and Social Exclusion.

The art exhibition will be inaugurated by his Excellency, the President of Malta Dr. George Abela LLD on Monday the 6th of December 2010 at the Gallerie Liberte in the premises of General Workers Union. The exhibition will be opened till the 21st of December 2010.

The Art exhibition will highlight the reality of poverty and helps to create more dialogue and awareness. Artists were invited to explore the theme and express their creativity through visual arts, sculptures and ceramics. Those visiting the exhibition are encouraged to give donations which will go for the benefit of Community Chest Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seminar

Dibattitu Pubbliku organizzat mill-Għaqda Żminijietna - Leħen ix-Xellug

Bit-Tema ‘X’ Nistennew fil-BAĠIT 2011’

Nhar is-Sibt 2 ta' Ottubru fl-10am ġewwa Sala 60A, Triq id-Dejqa, Valletta


Kelliema mill-GWU, UHM, Forum, KNZ.

Mistiedna wkoll l-Għaqda Pensjonanti Maltin u l-Kunsill Nazzjonali tan-Nisa.

Imexxi Diskussjoni l-Ġurnalista James Debono.

Narawkom.

Diskussjonijiet mtellgħa huma ta' nteress politiku, analitiku, nformattiv u edukattiv.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cultural Activity

Come watch a Documentary Film

'PERSEPOLIS'.

Summary: Persepolis is the poignant story of a young girl in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.

Next Monday 13th September 2010
...
Time: 7:30pm

Place: 'Cheers Bar', Manwel Dimech Str, Sliema. (Down from Police Station to Pjazza Balluta).

Cu there!

For reservations contact 79536914

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above, members of Zminijietna - Voice of the Left and Zminijietna Left Youth partcipating in May Day cellebrations, Valletta

 

Zminijietna Zghazagh tax-Xellug sejra tippartecipa fil-What’s Left?, seminar fuq l-idejologija u l-prattika tax-Xellug organizzat mil-GWU YOUTHS nhar il-15 t’April

Nizzel artiklu mibni fuq id-diskors tal-kelliem taz-ZZX, is-Sur Chrisopher Cutajar, li jitkellem fuq 'Trejdjunjonizmu u Politika - X'relazzjoni ghandu jkun hemm'.

Nizzel il-presentazjoni tas-Sur Michael Briguglio fl-istess seminar, assistent segretarju ta' Zminijietna - Lehen ix-Xellug, u ghalliem fl-Universita ta' Malta.