Talks have reportedly been held between the GWU and government on questions of health and safety on the place of work. The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) strives to conduct inspections with the limited resources it possesses, while a man, aged 49, is in danger of losing his life after falling while helping other workers in Handaq.
Cases of serious injuries and deaths on the place of work are not a rarity apart from the number of cases where workers are affected by poisonous gases and chemicals and which are not reported. While the façade suggests that the government is taking seriously the question of health and safety on the place of work, reality shows otherwise.
Government departments themselves are not taking the question of health and safety seriously. So much so, that their employees are not adequately supervised and in some cases, government employees are not given the necessary clothing and equipment to safeguard their wellbeing while working.
Yesterday, two workers were painting the railings at the Law Courts’ entrance. The photo being reproduced speaks for itself. One of the workers is seen unharnessed and unprotected on a crossbar painting the railings.

Gambling
Joe Gerada, the CEO of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, complained recently that the sudden introduction of easily accessible legal gambling opportunities such as gambling halls and sport betting are causing havoc among children and the young generation.
The effects will be felt in a few years’ time. Mr Gerada also said that no social impact assessment was carried out before legalising these gambling halls which are mushrooming in every main street. He suggests strict regulations to protect children and vulnerable persons from the present malaise which has been couched in a legal framework and given the go-ahead by the Lotteries and Gaming Authority.
While there are regulations for the use of gambling machines in casinos, these gambling halls are not regulated and this loophole has to be addressed quickly by the gaming authority and the Ministry of Finance. Joe Gerada’s concern is the concern of every one of us. Gambling leads to other vices, like usury and violence.
Personally I have come across cases of domestic violence because the husband falls prey to gambling. When the wife asks for maintenance for the family she ends up beaten up and forced to find all kinds of work, including prostitution.
Mr Gerada explains how the owners of these halls are embarking on a well-crafted strategy of promoting these places by making them look respectable. They have been allowed to open in places near those frequented by young people.
A gambling culture is being created with far reaching effects on family life in years to come. Quick action is needed to protect our younger ones and the family in the long run. We are a bunch of hypocrites: while the State preaches against divorce, it is allowing, if not encouraging, the negative forces which ruin family life. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. We are fed up of rhetoric and empty promises.

Dialogue for democracy
Joseph Muscat has asked the Prime Minister to discuss with the Opposition issues tied to the enhancing of democracy in Malta.
With a wafer-thin majority of less than half an electoral quota, the government is obliged to govern in a democratic way and not allow itself to be dragged to the position where its democratic credentials and legitimacy will be seriously questioned.
The recent highly political appointments to boards and authorities suggest that the government has not as yet grasped the real political situation of the country. The MLP and Alternattiva Demokratika together have garnered more votes than the PN, and if they work together they can exert enormous pressure on the government to act correctly and democratically. Joseph’s list of topics includes party financing, a law to regulate the functions of a caretaker government, a change in the appointment of PBS Board and Editorial Board, capping on government’s revenue from duties on fuel and parliamentary procedures including the appointment of speaker.
Dr Muscat’s initiative is one in a chain of positive proposals he made since he assumed the office of Labour leader a few weeks ago. He insists on positive politics and a healthy dialogue for the advancement of the country. On his part, the PM responded by himself listing a number of topics he deems important for the strengthening of the democratic process. However, up to now, the government has not made any concrete democratic overtures.
All public appointments were partisan in nature; government embarked on a unilateral decision for the dockyards’ privatisation and decided to join Partnership for Peace a few days after the publication of the electoral result, without discussing the matter with anyone. Government has also allowed Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando to retain his seat in parliament despite the public outcry for him to resign. He was also allowed to head a high level delegation to the Council of Europe.
Time for political change is ripe: the political climate is there, the offer is for the taking. What is needed is the government’s political will to act.