Ever since the young construction worker, Jean-Paul Sofia, died at the illegal construction site run by Labour Party activists and Robert Abela’s friends, Robert Abela has successfully made sure to weaken even further the construction and safety and authorities. He has also opposed tooth and nail a public inquiry on Jean Paul Sofia’s death which is now ongoing. Public pressure forced the Labour Party to speak the language of reform, but this quickly turned into an opportunity to keep extending the Jungle Rules status for the construction industry while at the same time, ensuring that no one takes any responsibility for anything.
Since then, the Building and Construction Authority has tried to give a unique interpretation to the law by placing responsibility for construction guidelines enforcement on the Occupation Health and Safety Authority, an argument contradicted by the BCA’s own officials. Meanwhile, BCA director and OHSA Chairman, David Xuereb did not shy away from admitting in the pubic inquiry that neither he nor the government had been working on any policies to improve the ever-deteriorating lawless situation.
In fact, David Xuereb has been doing the opposite of strengthening the authority he is supposed to oversee. The Occupational Health and Safety Authority’s experienced and competent CEO was replaced with a part-timer and an individual from another field altogether. The new CEO, Josianne Cutajar, has been busy hiring a new personal assistant whilst the occupational doctor of the agency has resigned, with the post still being vacant. The new CEO is also busy rebranding the entity and has earmarked previous Konrad Mizzi’s PRO for the task, Alex Cutajar.
Perhaps it would be a good idea to once again summon the OHSA chairman to the public inquiry committee and ask him about how he fulfills his role as overseer of the entity.
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