The Minister for Justice and Construction Sector Reform Jonathan Attard addressed an informative session in relation to the implementation of the new OHSA law. This session was held with stakeholders and the main representatives of workers and employers.
In this session, a detailed explanation of the new law was made, including the roles, responsibilities, fines, penalties and administrative procedures as well as criminal ones in this law that will introduce a more effective deterrent towards culture of accountability.
Subsequently, Minister Jonathan Attard together with Dr. Josianne Cutajar, Chief Executive of the Authority for Health and Safety at Work, held an informative session for all participants, where they not only updated those present on the implementation of the new law, but also answered the questions put to them.
“The Government is carrying out an unprecedented investment in this sector to ensure that the Authority is in a position to implement this new law in the best possible way. This investment focuses primarily on the human resource, where a recruitment process is underway, where in a few months there has been an increase of almost 40 percent in those who are workers”, said Minister Jonathan Attard.
This is apart from the new helpline 138 service, which is also a service linked to the health and safety of workers at work. This is a new means of how workers can not only report the risk, but also request information on aspects related to health and safety at work.
He said that the strong participation of stakeholders not only in the public consultation process, but also in informative sessions like the one he was addressing, are a confirmation of how much appetite, interest and the will to raise the level in the sector is widespread.
“I believe that this strong dialogue in the sector augurs well not only for the implementation and enforcement of the new law, but also for fostering a culture of responsibility so that we avoid accidents at work as much as possible ”, concluded Minister Attard.
For her part, the Chief Executive of OHSA, Dr. Cutajar said that after 22 years we are witnessing an opportune moment where while consultation was ongoing and there were goals for the direction of the aspects that the authority wanted to focus on, it started immediate analysis of how you can increase effectiveness and efficiency. She also spoke about the importance of research being a factor that the authority will be taking very seriously to continue raising the level.
Among those present there was also the Chief Permanent Secretary Tony Sultana, and representatives of various public and private entities.
Finally, the OHSA launched a new look including a new logo that reflects the renewal of this Authority where it will be passing a message of continuous commitment to society regarding health and safety at the workplace. work in the best interest in the protection of every worker on every job site.
