I want to share an experience that happened for me today, I am a wheelchair user, and I had to move today from Mosta to Marsa for the public registry office, and I never seen such crowded buses before, from 6.20 to 6:50 more than 10 busses are fully packed the people standing next to the driver, and even for normal people it was extremely difficult to get in the bus, for my physical case it's extremely difficult to get in a normal car, usually I book an accessible taxi but today it wasn't available to book, the real problem here is not if buses are free or not, the capacity of busses are not enough, even if I have a car the traffic was unbearable this morning, the issue for me also all over the years the traffic gets worse, not sure how things will look like after few years.

Some hot takes for you:

TCNs in Malta aren't slaves - they came here voluntarily and can leave whenever they want.

Comparing the removal of paid transport for TCNs to slavery is a symptom of a superiority complex problem where you assume that TCNs are automatically disadvantaged people living in our country.

Up until a few years ago every other person used public transport user had to pay 2 euro to catch a bus to wherever they wanted to go, but we've somehow forgotten that since 2023

The government shouldn't have stopped giving away free public transport and free childcare to TCNs because they shouldn't have made any of it free in the first place.

Malta is a haven for most TCNs otherwise most of them would have already left.

Malta is one of the few countries in Europe where one can find a well-paying job without knowing the local language or expecting any form of discrimination because of it. (try finding a job in France/Germany/Switzerland/Belgium/Spain without knowing the local language and let me know how it goes)

Alex Borg didn't condemn these actions because he would have done just the same if he were elected (and it would have been right).

TCNs were actively promoting the Labour government on TikTok, warning that the PN would supposedly "deport them" if it ever got into power. They were also posting videos celebrating the win all over social media.

At the time, I was surprised to see that level of support given the amount of criticism the government was facing about immigration.

A significant section of Labour's own voter base is openly against immigration, particularly when it comes to TCNs from Asian countries. There's a fair amount of hypocrisy here, considering that many of these same people continue to support a government that has overseen a massive increase in foreign workers.

Labour has also repeatedly shown that keeping its traditional voter base happy is a political priority. So when the interests of TCNs clash with those of its core supporters, is it really surprising which side the government chooses?

I think some people made the mistake of assuming that because Labour facilitated their arrival and employment in Malta, it would necessarily continue to represent their interests.

Those are two very different things.

I'm sick and tired of reading social media posts against TCNs in Malta. Why can't people realize and take note of the bigger picture?? Yes, anger - so so justified. But not towards TCNs. Can't you realize that we are in a K-shaped economy? Profits are privatized, but costs are being socialized. Profits for the top business people with costs borne by society. Importation of cheap labour = less costs for businesses = better profits for businesses = business people become richer. At the same time, overpopulation due to importation of cheap labour = pressure on infrastructure and services = worsening quality of life for us Maltese. You might think that better profits will lead to decrease in prices...but no my friends...there is always a war to blame for inflation no?

The services that TCNs are requested to start paying for should be paid directly by the businesses. No, not by the TCNs themselves, but rather, by the businesses that employ them. The expenses will still amount to a small share of their profits. After all, corporate tax rate has gone down as per Budget 2027.

So please people, do not be damn fools. Remember, if you want to be angry, just be angry at the top ruling/business class and demand that they fork out their fair share to society. They are enjoying themselves seeing you reel against eachother and TCNs, while the top ruling/business class' pockets are full and they live very comfortably in their villas.

This is the K-shaped economy ladies and gentlemen. This is what we should be angry about.

I've been trying to find out why some people have been acting so dramatic online with this budget. Most of the complaints I saw was on the public transport costing 33 eur a month....so to use the buses unlimited you need to pay 1 eur a day. I've been to many countries that locals get preferential treatment. I think all this complaining is a bit too dramatic for nothing. If I was a TCN here and couldnt afford paying 1 eur extra a day, what the hell am I even doing here?

In my understanding most TCNs send their paycheck home anyway. Cant they afford to pay 1 eur a day?

I understand the license issue that you gotta pay 83 eur a month feels excessive. But are there a lot of TCNS that own a car? Most of those that do either share the car or else have higher paying jobs cuz they are higher skilled people, plus some might get the super bonus which automatically pays for them. Not to mention the increase in minimum wages etc...fuel subsized for everyone. Lets not forget how expensive fuel is in EU. Healthcare still remains free etc..

Also the child care is now not free. But i dont think there are many countries that childcare is free to begin with. Would TCN throw a tantrum over this if also maltese people needed to pay for it? I feel like they wouldnt...in that case it's just a matter of jealousy.

TL:DR

Ive saw a lot of posts of TCNs crying , complaining, acting dramatic, threatning to strike, wearing black , green pins etc ..I feel like they're just throwing a tantrum and being a bit too dramatic

Hi I (28M) recently moved back to Malta from two years abroad and am trying to get accustomed once again to social life. The week is generally busy with work and training afterwards but I noticed that Fridays and Saturdays are quiet as even many friends I used to go out with have settled or had a family and are too busy.

So I'm looking for places were people my age go by themselves to even meet new people, like maybe art classes or hikes or groups or anything that's an activity really. I don't generally go to parties but like to join communities of people. Anyway I thought I'd post here for some suggestions as people would have some good ideas.

I've seen a lot of arguments and discussions over the past few days about the new policies for TCNs, and how these added costs (alongside the minimum wage increase generally) will supposedly "force" businesses to raise their prices. This is ridiculous! Malta's minimum wage already falls far behind what constitutes a liveable wage, and wage growth in general lags far behind fuel cost increases and food inflation. This isn't even mentioning the fact that restaurants are already ridiculously expensive for the quality of food and service you get (not to mention that none of the foreign servers seem to speak Maltese, and most appear to struggle with English as well). They always complain and whine about how they have to depend on TCNs for work, but no shit, only South Asians will want to work there if the pay is literal peanuts. Obviously no one wants to be a bus driver working 10 hours a day when they only get paid 10€ an hour.

This isn't even mentioning the fact that housing is ridiculously expensive despite the endless construction, partly due to the increased demand resulting from immigration. Apparently, building more and more apartments hasn't done much to make housing more affordable when you also bring in >130,000 people in less than 10 years! And to those who say TCNs built this country, I would recommend you look at Malta less than 10 years ago, in 2017. Malta of 2017 was a decent country to live in, and the construction had not yet gotten out of control, and also, most importantly, did not depend on TCN labour. This is a problem that can be fixed, though the draconian way the government is going about it is moronic. A focus on cutting the flow of low-skilled immigration, on language requirements, on local labour, and on increasing the cost of residence permits, as well as restricting most immigration only to jobs paying at least the minimum wage, would massively help.

We do need fresh faces and new ideas.

Cross posting from another subreddit,

In Serbia, students brought the method of direct democracy into electoral politics. Instead of a top-down organization based on leaders, they formed student general assemblies (plenums) where everyone could have a say. Decisions were discussed and, as much as possible, reached through consensus. They extended this method beyond universities. Citizens' assemblies (zborovi) were established in neighborhoods, cities, and villages. People gathered to discuss their own problems, propose solutions, and make decisions together.

They formed the 250-person parliamentary candidate list as follows:

1- First, the 250-candidate quota was distributed among the six university cities based on student numbers. To prevent Belgrade from dominating the list, they ensured that other cities were also represented in the top ranks. Then, each city's quota was distributed among the faculties.

2- Student general assemblies were held in more than 80 faculties across the country. Students did not nominate themselves as candidates, but each could propose a candidate and explain why they were suggesting that person. Names were discussed, consensus was sought first, and voting was conducted when necessary.

3- They closed the door to existing political cadres. They did not nominate current or former members of ruling parties, politicians and bureaucrats who had served on behalf of the government, or high-level executives of opposition parties. In this way, they created a list independent of both the government and the established opposition.

4- Faculties also vetted each other's candidates. All proposed names were compiled into a common list and opened for review by all faculties. Objections were discussed in student assemblies. For a candidate to be eliminated, more than half of the assemblies had to veto them. An objection from a single faculty was not sufficient.

5- Reserves were brought in to replace eliminated or withdrawn candidates. Thus, a 250-person list emerged featuring professors, doctors, scientists, workers, artists, and activists.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw5yn3xlprpmo

It should affect Maltese nationals as well, since you cannot convince me otherwise; this isn't a 3rd-world country.

Jokes aside, it's funny how politicians can’t get these things right.😂 The Western countries struggle since they issued extra rights, and they treat TCNs more positively than their own citizens. Here we are, overcompensating and restricting TCNs. I think everyone wants fkin 1 thing. EQUALITY!!!!!

If I don't abide by the law, then I should be retaliated against, no matter my race. But if I'm contributing to the economy, I should benefit from what everybody else is benefiting from.

WHY IS THIS SO FKIN HARD??! Omg

Sorry for the vent tho

I’m Maltese and have now caught up with the budget. And I have read a lot from both sides of opinions regarding the fees for tourists and people who live and work in Malta who are from countries not in the EU (cos I hate using the word TCN).

Yes I agree wholeheartedly with the increased fee of the eco tax, the increased fees for Comino and Gozo, so we can get rid of low quality tourists once and for all. We don’t want teenagers coming to Malta just get drunk at Paceville, on boats, and techno festivals, and dump their rubbish everywhere and vandalize property in their drunken stupor. We want tourists who come for our culture, our prehistoric temples, our wonderful old architecture and beautiful sunsets at the cliffs.

With the issue of the higher cost of living for non-EU people, well I really don’t understand why people are making it a point of racism??!! If I, a Maltese person, go to live in the UK or the USA or Australia, or any other country, I will definitely not be provided with free healthcare and free childcare, and most probably most of my wage will be going in taxes and rent. So why is everyone angry that the non-locals in Malta are now being offered the same services we would be offered if we go to live and work abroad?!! Anzi, non-EU people living and working in Malta were lucky enough to have many of these services offered for free just like locals. I do understand wholeheartedly that this could be a big burden for non-EU families living and working in Malta, but does this not happen in every country?? Times change, legislations change, and budgets happen to help alleviate the country’s economy. Again I understand that the government was shitty, and many business were shitty too, because they advertised Malta as this utopia and maybe it started out like that for Non-EU individuals but as I said times change, and laws and benefits change accordingly too.

So my question is this - why are people making it as we Maltese are racist when it happens worldwide in all countries that non locals actually do pay more to live and work in any other country that is not theirs?

An interesting video explaining how these "DROP SHIPPING MENTOR" scams work. There are many different types of scams but these are some of the most common tactics used by scammers to deceive people and take their money.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxa-lKu4ips

How the Shopify Guru Scam Works

Fabricated Proof: Gurus use browser inspection tools to rewrite Shopify sales code or use fake order generating apps to display inflated round number revenues.

They rent luxury cars, high end Airbnbs,or stage fake travel to create an illusion that dropshipping made them rich overnight.

Ghosting & Upsells: After taking payment mentors often provide minimal access push expensive upsells, or completely ghost students.

"Done For You" Traps: Some schemes charge thousands of euros claiming they will run an automated store for you which frequently turns into a Ponzi style collapse.

Unsolicited Cold Messages: Genuine experts do not cold message people on social media or community forums to offer secret systems.

Focus on Speed and Ease: Claims of passive income with little to no work ignore the difficult realities of customer support ad spend and profit margins.

Fake Analytics: You can learn more about how fake data is manufactured via guides on Swishtag.

Ma min qed tahseb li qed titnejjek Liam? Jien kont Dubai qabel ma inti twelidt. Importajt xoghol bit-typewriter u fax. Ghandi Businesses tieghi anke online stores. Kelli officju b'team ta nies go Shenzhen qabel l-internet kien jezisti. Kelli warehouse Abu Dhabi Free Zone. Kelli businesses il-Libya. LI QED TGHID INTI HUWA BULLSHIT U MHUX VERU. Inti persuna dishonesta u hungry for fame and money. Qed tinganna lil huti Maltin biex ihallsulek il-lifestyle tieghek. Mhux ser inhallik tkompli tinganna l-poplu Malti zgur.

Liam, I am challenging you. SUE ME for defamation. Tista tqabbad lil siehbek Matteo li qijed Malta biex ittelani il-qorti.

email me here Liam on - [978345097@protonmail.com](mailto:978345097@protonmail.com)

Most of our problems would be fixed in just few months.

But developer-hotel-restaurant mafia wont make it happen.

Ħelow lill-kulħadd. Recently I've been looking more into my family history/geneology (Barthet family) and specifically the Tonna-Barthet connection. Maltageneology.com connects the Tonna family to the Medieval Emirs and Siculo-Arab rulers of Gozo (for example, the earliest listed was Muhammad Bin-Tunne, a Kalabid ruler of Gozo and descendent of Quda'a [Ancient Arab geneological figure])

This is very intriguing, but I'm not sure how true it is because I haven't been able to find any independent corroboration on the internet, although this could simply be because M bin tunne is a niche ruler of a tiny central Mediterranean island nation 🤷🏻‍♂️

So, does ANYONE have some information on him, or the truth in this matter? Grazzi 🙏🏻

No attempt ever here at forward thinking

I know it's not for everyone, but here's the latest Bajd u Bejken episode, on which I was the guest.

Let me know what you think. I feel it was pretty decent overall, hopefully you don't find it boring as I'm sure I'm not as colourful as some previous guests hehe.

Gave an honourable mention to the community on r/malta at around 01:23:00 :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKVUw08J29Q

Hi. I have a question and need an opinion.

My team was moved to a new branch so new projects, laptops etc, as if we were hired for the first time. On our first day, we did what we usually software developers do, we set up the laptops with the applications that we will use. Now for me and a coworker, we were not given any projects, any access, nothing. When we asked for them, they said to us that they will give us the projects tomorrow.

So me and this coworker simply talked to each other because we had nothing to do. We were called in the boss's office at the end of the day and he yelled at us, (me and the coworker are 31 years old). The other coworker started crying but he didn't phase me out. I was actually more hurt that he made the coworker cry.

My question is this, I am Maltese, she is not, is this normal behavior for a Maltese boss because he told us that if he does not instill fear in his employees, then he is not doing a good job. He said that the employees should fear him.

Do you think we should get out of this company ASAP?

I want to see if we are doing the right move because honestly, me and the coworker have had enough after he scolded us. We are not kids.

Not to mention that the office is...under constant surveillance, there is barely any ventilation or circulation, there is mold on the walls, there are no female and male bathrooms and apparently, he doesn't raise the yearly wage by COLA (which someone told me that it is illegal)

Does anyone manage to make use lte on a smartwatch and is able to make/receive calls on the standalone watch?

If yes which provider are you using?

I m manged to install the esim on my Samsung Galaxy watch ultra 2 and can send and receive SMSs. But unable to send/receive calls. GO support are not seeing any thing wrong and I tried resetting the esim but issue persists. Maybe the watch is faulty!!

Cheers

Well I am part of the Maltese Youth, and a majority of the people I talk too can barely read anything above a paragraph. I tried to get my friend who stopped school at 16 to read a harry potter book and he couldn't get through the first page.

Then the maltese youth perform much better in the english subject than they do in the maltese subject. I also tried to start a book club in my secondary school, and out of the twenty students that came only 7-8 didn't need several minutes on a single page.

​

it looks so gorgeous I'd definitely love to get one! Seems perfect for hand luggage.

Where do they make them pls?

This budget was a bit of a divider of the people. I don't recall a budget in recent history that divided people that much, however I believe it was a very obvious choice if we look at the signs.

This year the Maltese Government issued over 1.5 Billion in Gov bonds, that's 1.5 Billion of extra debt needed to finance whatever the country needs. 1,500,000,000 in debt, in 10 months let that sink in.

Now considering the 1k per year Super Bonus and other measures promised by the Government, how else would we gather up the money to pay for the interest and the debt itself? Something needed to give, and pay more. Now either they put more taxes on everyone and raise fuel prices and electric bills or start taking back some of the benefits they are currently giving, and they decided to start with TCN. I believe that the current benefits we are receiving at the moment are not sustainable and this is the first of a series of budgets that will follow suit.

Hello there,

I am planning to install a cat net to the front balcony (facade from top to the bottom. I have the landlords permission, but i want to know if I need to apply to Planning Authority for this. It will temporary and easy to remove. Do you have any information?

Thank you.

www.glennbedingfield.com/tohelp