More than 1,700 energy sector workers receiving Covid-19 vaccine

The process for more than 1,700 workers from Enemalta, the Water Services Corporation and ARMS Ltd to receive the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, the government announced on Wednesday.

The vaccination process for these workers started last Monday and it is predicted that by the end of this week all workers would receive the first dose of the vaccine.

Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne and Minister for Energy Miriam Dalli visited the vaccination centre in Ta’ Qali which was set up recently. Other vaccination centres were set up at the head office of the Water Services Corporation in Luqa, Kordin and their maintenance centre in Gozo.

For Enemalta workers, centres were set up at Delimara and in Marsa.

Both Fearne and Dalli have praised the work being done by the concerned entities for their efficiency in the procedure for workers to get vaccinated in a safe environment.

Dalli went on to explain that the workers from these entities are front liners as well as they are meeting people on a daily basis in order to conduct their work.

Fearne thanked the entities concerned for their cooperation with the health authorities in order for the vaccination process to move forward. He went on to say that he is grateful for the employees of Enemalta, Water Services and Arms to accept their appointment to get vaccinated.

More funds have been secured for many S&D progressive flagship programmes for youths, children, women, workers, health, climate, just transition, and recovery from the crisis. The funds were approved by a vote in the Employment Committee in the European Parliament.

“The budget of the EU is our chance to show citizens, our youth, and children that we stand with them in these difficult times. The Covid crisis will continue to impact and severely affect workers’ and peoples’ health and living conditions. The lockdown measures in many countries have exposed the financial fragility of millions of families, workers, and businesses that have difficulties in making ends meet,“said MEP Agius Saliba shortly after the vote.

He explained that such a situation requires an unprecedented response, and that is why the EU budget is crucial to ensure social protection and policy initiatives that can smooth the economic and social impact of the crisis and secure just transition and social resilience for European citizens. MEP Agius Saliba said that the Employment Committee’s position is key in this regard given that it is the Committee that protects and defends workers’ direct interests.

Despite the opposition and negative vote of MEP David Casa and the EPP delegation, Alex Agius Saliba has pushed for more ambition and investments from the Member States in the Youth Guarantee and the Child Guarantee schemes. He has also managed to secure a call for a permanent European Unemployment Reinsurance Scheme.

“I am proud that other political groups have seen the importance of helping European youth and children and have supported my proposals that will help many. Already before the crisis, more than a quarter of all children in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and in the context of recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak, tackling child poverty and youth unemployment will become even more important,” said MEP Agius Saliba

Agius Saliba also expressed his disappointment on the fact that David Casa and the EPP voted against his critical remarks on the European Parliament for the dismissal of 60 employees working as external staff in the Parliament’s catering services. He explained that most of the sectors which the COVID-19 crisis has hit hardest were essential sectors, some of which have precarious working conditions. “The European Parliament should set the example to keep as many essential workers as possible in work during the pandemic, and special efforts should be made to improve employment conditions and recognition of such sectors,“Agius Saliba said.

“It is difficult to understand the EPP opposition to providing sufficient resources and for helping children, youth and essential workers. But I am delighted that despite this, the Committee has accepted all my proposals, and we now have a strong socialist position strengthening finance actions for unemployment, workers, and vulnerable groups such as youth and children. As the full impact of the crisis is yet to come, the next EU budget must mirror citizens’ priorities while also upholding the social dimension that leaves no one behind,“Agius Saliba said.