Minister for Justice and the Reform of the Construction Sector, Jonathan Attard, and officials from the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), marked Workers’ Day by visiting a construction site in the Marsa industrial zone.
“Workers’ Day this year is being celebrated in the context of a year in which substantial reforms were carried out in the field of Occupational Health and Safety, with a new law for the sector and new regulations in several areas, including construction,” stated Minister Attard.
He explained how the construction site he was visiting with OHSA and BCA officials was a living example of the transformative process the sector is undergoing. The main reforms also include new regulations on standalone sites, mandatory insurance, licensing of builders and contractors, and even new services for workers and citizens affected by construction, including the 138 helpline and the additional service of free lawyers and architects for those affected.
“This was also a year in which these two regulatory authorities strengthened their dialogue not only with the general public but also with workers and stakeholders in the sector, including through an agreement on the national Building and Construction Code,” continued Minister Attard.
The official responsible for health and safety on the site spoke about how the new law related to health and safety—particularly the rules related to construction sites and the register of competent persons—introduced new duties by granting the project supervisor more powers to take necessary actions in the interest of workers’ health and safety.
“The worker remains at the center of these reforms, with changes that send a strong message that the health and safety of our workers are non-negotiable. This work must continue to ensure that every worker in our country can go to work knowing their health and safety are protected,” stressed Minister Attard.
The project supervisor responsible for the sites spoke about a 10,000-square-meter project consisting of three factories with a 2,000-square-meter footprint each, connected by a road to the rest of the industrial area. He elaborated on the various methods used, including limestone, bricks, and other precast materials delivered to the site.
The government is committed to continuing this work towards a culture of greater responsibility and higher standards in the construction sector.
Photo: MJR
