The Ministry for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector has refuted the Opposition's claims that the reform carried out on the Occupational Health and Safety Act was "rushed, half-baked" and had several shortcomings.

In a statement, the Ministry stated that it has been implementing measures relating to occupational health and safety - with a particular focus placed on construction sites - for over a year, as listed in the government's report published a year following the Sofia public inquiry.

While denying PN's descriptions of its final policy being "very limited" and "not always placing workers' interests first," the government stated that it "had the courage" to reform this sector "after over 20 years of complacency."

It sustained this by mentioning the public consultation carried out and the continuous dialogue retained with the sector's main stakeholders. This public consultation led to new regulations which outlined clearer frameworks of responsibilities for those involved in construction sites, the government said; it continued that these regulations also clarified existing legal aspects and provided project supervisors with protection in their work.

The Ministry welcomed the Opposition's interest and its suggestion on the subject, though noted that the regulations it mocked came about following extensive discussions with the Malta Occupational Safety and Health Practitioners Association (MOSHPA), the Union of Health and Safety Practitioners (UHSP), the Malta Developers Association (MDA), and the Board of the Occupational Health and Safety Authority.

These discussions contributed to the Authority having an administrative instrument to regulate the registering of competent persons in health and safety. According to the Ministry, this goes against the Opposition's comments that the Government and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority do not yet officially recognise the professions of Health and Safety Practitioners. The Government is also engaged in dialogue with the Malta Chamber of Construction Management to see how it can continue strengthening the construction sector, it noted.

The Ministry concluded that some of the Opposition's recommendations are already being implemented in practice, such as the allocation of skills cards in collaboration with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the obligation to appoint a project supervisor from a development's initial stages (and inability to commence in one's absence), plus stronger definitions within the Health and Safety Authority.

It also observed that it shall be reviewing the Opposition's submitted proposals and strengthening them where necessary.