Gzira

A survey of a number of businesses carried out by MISCO gave a better indication of where businesses in Gzira stand in terms of the Sustainable Development Goals and what they are doing to have a more sustainable business model and community.

Around one third of businesses in Gzira are aware of the SDGs
Gzira 34%

Some businesses based in Gzira may be doing more than other businesses in the treatment of their people (44 businesses were interviewed)

Comfortable working conditions
75%
Ongoing training of employees
73%
Decent minimum wage policy
59%
Flexible hours
59%
Sending employees to workshops / conferences / seminars
55%
Health Insurance
41%
Quotas
36%
Allowing employees to work from home
30%
Allowing employees to check email during work hours only
25%
Requesting photo/name blind CV's
43%
Reducing discrepancies between wages
16%
Providing food / Providing meal vouchers
11%

A number of businesses in Gzira tend to observe environmental friendly guidelines (44 businesses were interviewed)

Recycling / Reusing waste
91%
Turning off unused office equipement
75%
Water fountains to reduce the amount of plastic used
50%
Occupancy sensors, daylight sensors and local light switches
48%
Good insulation systems to ensure heat / cold remains inside
48%
Eco-friendly infrastructures / reduction of carbon footprint
46%
Renewable energy and efficient systems such as PV panels
7%
Reducing packaging / plastic products
30%
Installing a Reverse Osmosis
23%
Reducing food and solid waste
9%
Reducing the use of toxic / ozone depleting chemicals
16%
Financing transport vouchers (e.g tallinja card)

Businesses in Gzira do not pull apart from other localities in partnering up with organisations (44 businesses were interviewed)

Supporting organisations that work to protect the environment
25%
Collaborating with NGOs and public sector to help promote sustainable growth
21%
Partnering up with companies who are concerned with sustainable agriculture
2%
None
61%

A number of business meetings with local stakeholders were held with the support of the Gzira Local Council. In these meetings, a number of local issues were discussed, including those related to traffic, parking, construction, and communication among the parties involved.

Recently, MIDI, together with the Gzira Local Council, signed a Guardianship Deal that established a non-profit foundation to ensure Manoel Island’s heritage buildings, foreshore, as well as green spaces, are restored and safeguarded for the whole community. For more information, kindly follow this link: Foundation set up to safeguard Manoel Island’s green spaces, heritage buildings, and foreshore

On the 27th of April, CORE Platform and SOS Malta, with the support of the Gzira Local Council, organised a workshop at the Blubay Apartments in Gzira. The major points that came out include the need for better partnership between all stakeholders in Gzira and the need to address more effectively the heavy influx of foreigners in the locality. The stakeholders need to find a way to make the Gzira community more inclusive for these foreigners.