Isabelle Bonnici, the mother of construction victim Jean Paul Sofia, has slammed government's recent decision to remove the obligation to have a full-time licensed builder on construction sites.

During the Christmas holidays, government quietly published two legal notices dealing with the construction sector, one of which removed the need for builders to be employed on construction sites on a full-time basis.

The other legal notice says that builders can now obtain a licence without passing an exam, and can instead opt for assessment by experts on a committee panel if they fail the test.

Posting on Facebook, Bonnici, whose son was killed in a building collapse at a construction site in Kordin in 2022, said that the legal notices issued between Christmas and the New Year was done without consultation.

"Why don't you want to protect us and our children?" Bonnici said.

She questioned whether building in the country will continue with unskilled workers, without supervision, and with workers being paid peanuts, "just so the pockets of the wealthy keep filling up."

"Is anyone really listening to the small and vulnerable? Where are the experts and politicians of goodwill?" Bonnici said.

Bonnici said that this is not a question of political colours, and everyone's life matters.

"Will we keep moving forward with empty promises and talk, while people keep getting hurt and dying? Who will take responsibility? Who will be held accountable when we lose another precious life?" Bonnici continued.

She urged all Maltese citizens to come together and create pressure for a "safer and cleaner Malta."

Bonnici, referring to the legal notices, said that if this move reduces safety, people need to speak out, and not lower their heads or pretend nothing has happened.

She said that her son, and other victims, should not be allowed to have died in vain.

"Let me remind you that the building that took my son's life was being constructed by so-called "carpenters"! Who knows where else they've "built"!" Bonnici said, adding that she has nothing left to lose, but many still do.

In another post, Bonnici said that she at least expects a comment from the Minister explaining why this decision was deemed necessary, adding that there might be reasons that she and the public are unaware of.

"What worries me is that it was done hush-hush, without consultation, during the Christmas period," she said.

Regarding the licensing of builders, Bonnici said she did not comment because she feels that there truly might be people who cannot read or write but are highly skilled in their trade.

"However, we now need full confidence that those in charge are genuinely committed to ensuring we have a safer and cleaner construction sector," Bonnici said.

She said that there are far too many memories and experiences of "bullies and cowboys" in this sector, and this has been going on for years under every government.

"We have a right to know how this law will strengthen workplace health and safety, as promised following the Public Inquiry report into the tragic death of my beloved son," Bonnici said.

Bonnici said that as a mother who has endured loss and is trying to understand and make a difference because she cares, she would appreciate an explanation.