The change I didn’t vote for: from Sonny Portelli to John Bencini
If I had voted for change, I would by now be quite uneasy. Change is supposed to be for the better, right?
Right.
And we were told that this would be all about meritocracy, right?
Right again.
So why, then, was Sonny Portelli (a man much respected by the social partners involved, who understands the world of business and industry because he works in it) asked to resign as chairman of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, only to be replaced by a retired teacher and trade unionist, John Bencini?
As Andrew Borg Cardona said on Net TV last night – and some people forget that he is not just a newspaper columnist and ‘puppet of the evil PN’ but mainly a well-respected practitioner for more than three decades in fields of law related to the social partners – Sonny Portelli had the respect of all those involved, but John Bencini has the respect of none.
What is the sense in imposing on the social partners, in their advisory role to the government through this organisation, a chairman they don’t respect and feel they can’t work with?
It’s not because he’s Labour. It’s because he is who he is: his difficult personality, his grudge-ridden behaviour, his inability to compromise and work with others, and above all, his inability to understand areas of operation which are alien to him because he is a teacher and not a corporate man, and also because the union in which he made his life was the teachers’ union and not an industry-related or similar union.
What worries me most about these appointments the prime minister is making is that it is clear he is prioritising, over the public good and the national interest, his naked desire to reward and keep on side those who publicly and repeatedly gave witness for him in his campaign to get into government.
This in turn shows that he holds the organisations and institutions in question in such low regard that it doesn’t matter to him that they don’t get the best man or woman for the job, because he simply does not care if the job is done or whether it is done well.
I really am sorry for the representatives of the social partners who now have to work with Mr Bencini. They know it is going to be hell and that they will not be able to serve their consultative purpose properly.
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I am more convinced that these government advisory councils will become simply debating societies.
Time will tell, but the intention of the new government is to have his yes men present in all authorities and councils.
The PN should not get involved in these councils , because Joseph will blame them when things go wrong .
The PN should talk and critise in parliament government policies and decisions when required.
Totally agree with you. The PN should not fall into these traps. They will be blamed if things go wrong and not just for that reason. The PN’s sole responsibility is that of being an Opposition whose main task is to be a watchdog of what the government is doing, or not doing.
It’s meritocracy all right only in this case merit is determined by arselicking the Labour Party, and not by competence.
Nahseb li mal-ewwel intopp, l-imsiehba socjali jivvutaw biex jinqala’ minn hemm.
Dak il-post huwa delikatissimu.
have a look at who’s on the MCESD:
Chairman appointed by the Prime Minister (following consultation with the employers’ and unions’ represented on Council)
Deputy Chairman in the person of the Principal Permanent Secretary of the Civil Service
The Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Finance, the Economy and Investment (MFEI), Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Social Policy (MSOC)
Director General of the Economic Policy Division
Governor of the Central Bank of Malta
President – Malta Employers Association
President – Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry
President – Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association
President – Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises(GRTU)
Secretary General – General Workers Union
Secretary General – Union Haddiema Maghqudin
President – For.U.M.
President – Confederation of Malta Trade Unions.
(http://www.mcesd.org.mt/mcesd/content.aspx?id=101555)
I cannot imagine how an idiot like Bencini can assume a role of leading an entity which should be at the forefront of devising and advising economic and business policy to government.
Private business organisations must be shitting bricks at the thought of Bencini and former GWU hothead Mario Cutajar running this particular show with a chairman and deputy chairman who are PL cronies.
Maybe entities such as the Chamber of Commerce and MEA (now rid of Joshua Zammit) should boycott the MCESD.
I’m afraid others such as the GRTU and MHRA are too Labour-hijacked to find the balls to do something.
As for the unions, one of their own is leading the pack now, so they should be happy.
Hekk hu vera Malta taghna lkoll – u halluna.
“Oh I see”, your answer to this appointment is in the person who will be sitting as Deputy Chairman.
Was he the one thay replaced Alfred Buhagiar when the latter became President of CMTU and who had died quite suddenly, a few days after the MUT suspended its affiliation within the CMTU?
Bencini wanted to become president of the CMTU through a block vote, but was not elected. He then used the MUT to form his own personal confideration.
The GWU smelled blood and a weak personality and immediately stepped in to massage hios ego on behalf of Muscat.
Does anybody think that Joseph Muscat is really interested in the deliberations and the advice given by these consultative bodies?
As was the case with Mintoff, Muscat has his own objectives. State structures and consultative bodies are not going to stand in his way.
They are only appointed, using controversial appointees, to keep potential opposition busy, so allowing Muscat to go along uninterruptedly on his way.
Very well said. Very clever, min Jaf. Taf hafna.
Right after Malta joining the EU, the Maltese trade unions were offered two posts in Brussels.
There were three contenders for the posts: from the GWU, UHM and MUT.
The MUT contender was John Bencini. Ultimately the posts were taken by the GWU and UHM representatives. Bencini never forgave the PN for this.
Explains everything then. He spent the next decade protesting to ‘his’ forum.
His father must be rolling in his grave, at the thought that his son has become a Labour supporter. He conveniently has been years mulling over this ‘switch occasion ‘ reason being that the P.N. somehow were getting at his daughter who teaches at I.T.S. I guess that she too will be entitled to some promotion.
Very well said. Very clever.
I guarantee you that not only is his father turning in the grave but we, his family, are all humiliated and feel betrayed.
The Bencinis come from respectable political families and traditions since the early 19th century.
We respect political opinions even if they are diverse but there is no tolerance for unprincipled members who switch due to a grudge or mere convenience.
John should have retired with grace. He totally blew it! His father was had by the Nationalist party of old but loyalty is what makes a person true, no matter what and he did not switch sides to the end!
This old gentleman is pathetic. He never smiles and he seems to have an eternal grudge with the whole world. He’s in too, taf int, he helped Joseph by doing what pleases Joseph – sucking up to him.
And … John Cassar White of the Malta Drydocks is the new Bank of Valletta chairman.
Tal-misthija. Frederick Mifsud Bonnici has been there only a few months. He is a professional and very respected.
Even on this account only, PN MPs should not accept any offers from Muscat.
Out with the old and in with the older.
I wonder if he will impose or suggest a high weekly wage rise for all the workers?
Next up: Central Bank chairman.
Adieu, Josef Bonnici.
That will be under the ECB’s remit. However I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried.
The ECB is not involved in appointing the Governor of the Central Bank.
On another subject, there’s a whole list of people who HAVEN’T been removed from their post. Would make an interesting line of research for our Daphne. But then she’d have to tread on a few important toes.
Of course not, but neither would forced resignation belong to Muscat alone.
And there was that other ghastly, ill-suited neurotic appointed to the post of Law Commissioner and head of constitutional reform. Owen Bonnici claimed the decision as his because he was made to do that, when clearly he didn’t like the idea at all.
All that teachers had gained under the headship of A.Buhagiar, was lost when Bencini took over. As for me I resigned from the MUT after 19 years as a union delegate. I don’t regret that move.
Daphne, you’re absolutely right.
Some things do not work via Malta taghna lkoll. I have serious doubts whether Bencini understands what he’s letting himself into.
One has to see his table manners to get the hint whether he’s at all fit for purpose. Unless he deems this to be some ridiculous form of GonziPN.
The chairman of the MCESD will be the one who can take up the role of peacemaker and leader. Bencini did everything to put the council in disrepute, blaming everyone.
Alien to capitalism and its driving force, allergic to business ethic, snide and suspicious of entrepreneurs – that’s Bencini.
Andrew Borg Cardona simply verbalised what everyone’s feeling.
He is, I could add, Muscat’s ploy to direct the role to himself. Which is what Joseph wants, otherwise how can Engerer’s book be made reality?
I mean, look at his dress sense for heaven’s sake.
Yes, it matters. It describes the person, his foibles and taste, when the role is so delicate, it means everything.
How about a before (nationalist) and after (socialist) fashion make over? The new socialist job must come come with additional monetary perks on top of a generous nationalist pension income. A new closet of entitlement is de rigeur. I wonder if spic and span Peter Borg Olivier can at least tip John on a better contemporary fashion sense. It took John 50 years to come out of the closet. Let’s put some new outfits in, possibly for free, he would definitely love that, LOL. Don’t hold your breath though. This little chairmanship donation is just a step in the right direction on the yet untested Labour cat walk. Sure to God, Labour is not that cheap to regale John for such incredible services rendered with a mere cheap board position. Something more lucrative and rewarding, costing the taxpayer more than 30 pieces of euro silver, must be in place. They do owe the late bloomer that much and more.
[Daphne – Peter Borg Olivier died some time ago, Iggy.]
My sincere apologies, Daphne. I meant Paul Borg Olivier.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-04-03/news/john-bencini-appointed-mcesd-chairman-1319763968/
Instead of dismantling the MCESD institutionally, Muscat is dismantling it in practice.
In fact the GWU has already met most ministries on its own. Going forward, the GWU will be the only union recognized (though not officialy) by the government. The MCESD will exist on paper only.
It serves some social partners, like the MEA, GRTU and MHRA right.
I suggest that the UHM should start acting unilaterally as well going forward.
Timesofmalta.com has just removed the news of John Bencini’s appointment from their website.
Bencini, il-puppet il-gdid ta’ Muscat.
I think that the reason Bencini was appointed chairman of MCESD is for the council to fall into disarray and Muscat will have a good excuse for not consulting with the social partners.
Through his appointments, Muscat is aiming to neuter rather than strengthen the organisations in question. Soon, there will be no MCESD to speak of.
Neutering is the second best choice to having one’s enemies taken out and shot.
This clearly ridicules the MCESD, the important role it is supposed to play and all those who sit on it. Bencini is a fumbling oaf who isn`t fit to run a school tuck shop. Another Labour joke.
http://www.romaclubmalta.com/rcm/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=90:new-roma-club-malta-premises-pembroke&catid=34:yootheme&Itemid=171
Daqshekk zammejt mar-Roma.
What makes you think John still sides with Roma?
I would not be surprised to see him waving the Union Jack the next time England takes on Italy. Really! Everything is possible when you get struck by lightening and your sense of vision is impaired on your way to Labour head quarters on a very gusty windy day.
John Bencini has also been appointed on Enemalta’s oil procurement committee…the same committee that was embroiled in the Total SA and Trafigura bribery case. What does Bencini know about oil purchasing?
Someone seems to be oiling more than just Mr Bencini’s hair.