At a meeting of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, MCESD, the social partners discussed two priority themes: health and safety at the workplace, including substance abuse and its implications, as well as the National Alcohol Policy.
On the subject of health and safety, the social partners acknowledged that the number of accidents has decreased, but said that there is still more to be done, including the need for further action to reduce fatalities and build a safe workplace for all.
They said that it is essential to have more training, awareness and collaboration between public and private entities to increase efficiency and effectiveness, and to encourage investments and incentives for businesses to continue investing in security.
Regarding the National Policy on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, the Partners said that it is important that the work environment is safe and responsible. Substance abuse, including alcohol, poses a risk to the safety and well-being of workers and employers, and therefore there is a need for more enforcement and education.
Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue, Andy Ellul, who is politically responsible for MCESD, said that MCESD will continue to encourage collaboration between all entities with the main goal remaining that workplaces are safer, workers are more protected, and that a culture of responsibility reigns by everyone. He acknowledged the work done by the Government in the field of health and safety at the workplace, including the expansion of OHSA to carry out more inspections.
The Minister for Justice and Construction Sector Reform Jonathan Attard, together with the Chairperson of the Health and Safety Authority, Mr Pierre Fava, and the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Josianne Cutajar, presented the reforms carried out in recent months, intended to continue to bring about a cultural change in the way we look at health and safety at work. Minister Attard explained that a crucial step in this change occurred with the introduction of the new OHSA law, which places the health and safety of workers as a priority.
Present at the meeting was the Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon, who stressed that the Government is committed to continuing to implement measures in this sector. He mentioned the national alcohol policy which had raised several reactions during the public consultation. Minister Falzon reiterated that the policy is now in the final stages of being published after the Government has considered all the input from key stakeholders.
Dr Falzon also pointed out how the Government is introducing a law so that the authorities have more power to carry out random testing on our roads, in order to avoid accidents that could be fatal.
Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg said that “it is essential that we maintain an open dialogue with social partners, because the reform on the responsible use of cannabis aims to ensure that those who use cannabis responsibly are not criminalized. These people do not belong in prison. At the same time, it is important to ensure that the laws of our country continue to be observed and respected.”
Finally, Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul said that this is the serious way in which politics should be done, with open discussion together with social partners. He referred to the MCESD meetings as a place where the Government and partners debate ideas, so that the Government truly has its hand on the pulse of the people when it comes to legislating.
Photo: OPM_PS
