Call 138: Jean Paul Sofia’s Birthday Announced As New Construction Site Safety Helpline Number
A new 24/7 helpline has been launched for those who have difficulty or wish to report any type of abuse and concerns they have about buildings and construction sites… and the number itself is a tribute to one of Malta’s young victims in the industry.
Helpline 138 was launched earlier today, aiming to improve safety and accountability within the construction sector, providing a vital resource for workers and citizens alike.
The number 138 was chosen because 13th August marks the birthday of Jean Paul Sofia, the 20-year-old who died when a building under construction collapsed in Kordin in December 2022.
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Jean Paul’s mother, Isabelle Bonnici, has become an inspirational and outspoken activist on the matter in the years following her young son’s death, leading a public inquiry which eventually found the State responsible for oversight failures at the site in a 484-page report. Today, Bonnici reflected on that inquiry, and what Malta’s future could look like.
“The recommendations which came out of the inquiry’s report have started being taken up,” Bonnici wrote on Facebook. “The birthday of my dear son is soon. These are tough times for me. I can’t stay planning what to do or buy him anymore, but we can continue working so that maybe, we can avoid this pain for someone else!”
“There’s still much more left to do, and we will continue insisting so that Jean Paul wouldn’t have died for nothing,” Bonnici continued, thanking Justice Minister Jonathan Attard “who is working in favour of reform in the construction industry.”
“I encourage everyone who sees any shortcoming or who is suffering because of construction next to them to call this number and report,” Bonnici finished. “I hope it will be a help for many… Jean Paul used to love helping, he’ll really enjoy this gift for sure!”
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