‘Much ado about nothing’ may apply to those listed firms who register a larger turnover but then distribute a meagre dividend to shareholders. Some listed firms even reward handsomely their top executives by as much as over e100,000 a year when, in that year, shareholders were left empty handed.

Local listed firms, which, despite a bleak outlook due to forecast losses for years to come, still hand out promotions at the top. Thus would it be amiss for minority shareholders to feel it unjust that, apart from being subjected to no returns on their invested capital, find out from newspapers that the humble staff in front and back offices, who have been instrumental through long years of loyal service in building the brand, will not get a small increment due to not scoring enough points on some imposed ’performance’ exercise for which some consultant or other might have charged very good money.

Staff who are not in that ‘fast track career’ category might not have had a promotion in seven, eight or more years and whose experience, correct manner, going out of their way to be helpful, all of which add kudos to the ‘brand’, is not taken into account.

G. Bonett

MARSALFORN