Activists Slam Construction Maltese Licensing Regulations For Lacking ‘Ambition And Legal Clarity’
Activist group Moviment Graffitti have decried the new proposed construction industry licensing regulations as a “lost opportunity for effective change” as they fall short of their aims.
In a statement made during a public consultation by the Building and Construction Authority on the aforementioned regulations, the organisation criticised the lack of reach of these regulations and submitted a list of proposals to strengthen the regulations, and ensure their enforcement.
A safer and more regulated industry is in the interest of everybody.
“The licensing of contractors is long overdue. Only a few months ago, Jean Paul Sofia, like Miriam Pace three years ago, was killed in a construction incident. The workplace death of construction workers has also become a monthly occurrence and thousands are injured on construction sites every year.”
“These deaths were preventable had there been serious regulation of the construction industry. The regulations presented, not only come tragically late, but are also far too timid in their approach,” a spokesperson for Moviment Graffitti explained. “Our communities deserve better.”
The organisation is concerned about the lack of clarity and transparency on the way breaches of the regulations and license conditions would be handled by the BCA.
They point out that as the regulations stand, the public has little to no power to participate in proceedings or even be informed about them.
In parallel, it is clear that the soft approach to enforcement and penalisation in the regulations is not sufficient to shift the current free-for-all attitude ruling the construction industry.
“The public and our quality of life should be at the heart of this reform,” Moviment Graffitti emphasised. “This is why transparency and the right to be informed are crucial, and worryingly, missing from the regulations.”
Moviment Graffitti also criticised government’s inability to create a structure free from political involvement, highlighting the fact that the licensing committee is to be appointed by the minister.
Emphasising the need to revise the regulations prior to their coming into force, Moviment Graffitti also called for the immediate publication of National Building and Construction Codes, together with tangible enforcement of existing laws to eliminate the unsafe and illegal practices plaguing the industry.
“Government is once again being weak with the strong, to the detriment of our safety and quality of life,” Moviment Graffitti stressed.
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