When one looks around at just how badly things are going in some European countries, it makes us realise that although we rant and rave, bicker and squabble and find fault in everything – things could be a lot worse.
Yes, our economy is sluggish. Yes, we need to cut our deficit to GDP ratio a bit more and yes, we do need to aim at balancing the books and eventually cutting down our national debt. Never forget, a three per cent GDP (yearly) deficit – which is perfectly acceptable as a benchmark for sustainable economic growth – is still adding to national debt.
Spending has gone down and we are definitely being more frugal and economical – good. One look at the shambles that is Greece is enough to make even those who complain the most realise that we had to start tightening the belt and cutting waste. We needed to stop spending on material things and concentrate on tightening up finances, something which slowly but surely seems to be happening.
But by far, and we are not going into the merits of who, what, why and how, the one measure which hit the Maltese people hardest was the increase in water and electricity tariffs. Whatever the case may be, the facts are simple. We used to spend X amount for utilities and now we spend X+Y – irrespective of whether it could have been done better or whether one can ever excuse subsidy of waste, the increase hit people.
What normally would have been spent on nights out, holidays (great for the soul, but not so great for the local economy), clothes or anything else we buy on a whim – is now going towards paying more in bills.
To tie in the next part of this article, we must highlight a point – uncertainty on whatever level – is not conducive to economic growth or stability. This is fact. The uncertainty we are speaking about is bound to give our slowly recovering economy the jitters, and it is in the form of consumer confidence.
People have realised that the new bills are here to stay. They also realise that account holders are incurring stiff interest fines on their bills as well as being struck off the grid if they do not cough up.
They want to settle their dues. Some have opted for staggered payments; others religiously take readings every month and pay it off as they go. But many have been those that have complained that they cannot get the service they want.
In short, many people have phoned the Water Services Corporation lines and repeatedly sent emails to either book appointments, give in their readings over the phone, or try and clear up queries they may have.
This newspaper has received many complaints over the past few weeks as people try to settle the latest round of bills. And no, it is not about the amount due. Most of the complaints are about the inability to obtain service. The irony of it all is that people want to pay their bills and are simply not being given the service.
One understands backlogs, but shutting down the Valletta branch did not help. Neither does the advertising (on websites and on the bills they send) of customer care numbers which are not answered. The same goes for emails, when one finally gets through and tries to ‘hand in’ their readings, people have been told to send them by email. The emails remain unanswered. And this is what creates uncertainty. Many people might not have an ‘actual’ reading, only an estimate.
Obviously, they want to see if their consumption has gone down (as yes, people are trying to use less) and when one cannot do that, one does not know exactly what one has at his disposition in terms of spending power.
The message is clear – WSC wants its money and customers realise that they have to pay up on time, so let them do so – it is in everyone’s best interest. More of an effort needs to be made. Otherwise this issue (which is Malta’s equivalent of austerity measures in terms of effect on the citizens) will stifle the country’s day-to-day economic activity.