The high level of two-facedness of those entrusted to steer the ship is beyond the grasp of many law-abiding citizens.   Since the Panama Papers scandal broke, our society was forced to sail in very inclement weather.  During this journey, more people are feeling sick and unsettled as a series of giant waves hammers into the ship.  But what is making the journey more frightening is the fact that the Captain is taking the situation very lightly and has failed, so far, to act responsibly.   His right and left hands, disgraced senior officers, were allowed to continue to plot the sea-route and watch the compass while the spouse of the Captain is allegedly looking forward to enjoying the delights of the voyage.           

Suddenly we found ourselves in a socio-economic environment that few would have imagined possible just a few years ago.  The much touted ideals of transparency, meritocracy and accountability have been rubbished by the same administration which has solemnly promised to uphold them at all times. 

Last Sunday, thousands of people from different walks of life assembled in Valletta to show their disgust and disappointment at the way this administration is handling the alleged cases of corruption.  Corruption is evil, and if allowed to fester, it will erode all elements of social justice, directly impinging on us all.  In his speech last Sunday, PN Leader Simon Busuttil was formidable and decisive, clearly stating that corruption will not be tolerated under his watch.

It would be a gross miscalculation if this administration continues to rely and bank on the support of the electorate just because a number of initiatives were introduced during the legislature.  All the good has been wiped out with the alleged cases of corruption which now have also been laid on the doorstep of the Prime Minister and his spouse.  

But in this very serious political situation, our institutions have failed to stand up and be counted as it became clear that important evidence was being tempered with.  All the sterling work of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists could have been swept under the carpet, had it not been for the people who turned up in droves in Valletta last Sunday to register their concern and repugnance.

However, thanks to the great efforts of the ICIJ, made up of more than 300 reporters, the hidden infrastructure and global scale of offshore tax havens has been uncovered.  Hats off to all the members of the ICIJ team, ably led by Director Gerard Ryle. Their efforts paid off and were recognised with the prestigious Pulitzer Prize, awarded by the Columbia University   

In his immediate reaction when it was made public that the ICIJ were the recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, Gerard Ryle commented:  “We’re honoured that the Pulitzer Board recognised the ground-breaking revelations and worldwide impact that the Panama Papers collaboration produced.”  He added:  “This honour is a testament to the enterprise and teamwork of our staff and our partners here in the United States and around the world”.

Next Monday, the leaders of the two main political parties will address their supporters on the occasion of Workers’ Day.   Leaders of other organisations, including the highest authorities of the Church, will also make reference to this day.  The International Workers’ Day was established in the late nineteenth century by the Socialists and Communists to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago.  Since then, many things have changed.  The Communists has lost their credibility with the application of their failed political and socio-economic policies, while   the Church has embraced Workers’ Day and declared St Joseph the Worker as the patron saint of the workers.

I have always believed, and still do, that Maltese workers have the necessary abilities and skills to adapt to changes, making our workforce a valuable resource not easily matched by others.

On a personal note, on Workers’ Day, I have to battle various emotions.  For a good number of years, I looked forward to the various activities organised to commemorate the day, particularly those organised by the trade union movement on the first of May.  In my view, Workers’ Day celebrations continued to grow in substance when Malta joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. But on Workers’ Day in 2013, my father Joseph passed away, and the day has since been tinged with sadness.  I guess that’s how life goes.

But back to Workers’ Day and the current political situation in Malta.  Is it fair for our hardworking workers to be treated as second class citizens, perhaps at times even as imbeciles, on their own land by their own leaders?  If the Labour Party in government truly has the good of the workers as its core value, then it’s time for the Prime Minister to step aside and make way for a new leader from within the PL group to take the reins until the electorate is called to cast its vote in the coming general election.  

Happy Workers’ Day to all.    

 

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