Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1217481
2 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 4 MARCH 2020 NEWS Hamrun house collapse MATTHEW VELLA MOVIMENT Graffitti has de- plored the current state of the construction sector, saying a system of shoddy practices, lack of enforcement and policies de- signed to favour the development lobby have led to yet another trag- edy, this time fatal. Miriam Pace, 54, lost her life in a building collapse when works on a neighbouring plot led to the utter disintegration of her home. "The sector is in a shambles. There were many collapses last year and the lessons from them have been ignored. A hasty legal notice was drafted and branded as a reform, with the sole inten- tion of allowing the construction lobby to do as it pleases – and the construction lobby has a direct interest in not letting any serious reforms see the light of day. The residents' rights are being system- atically ignored. We are now star- ing at a national tragedy, with a woman killed under the rubble of her own home," a Graffitti spokes- person said. The group is convening a demonstration in protest at the construction industry's disregard of rules. "Moviment Graffitti reiterates its call to the authorities to ensure proper enforcement of all build- ing sites in Malta, until a proper, fully-fledged reform is launched to put an end, once and for all, to these tragedies brought about by greed and bullying." Moviment Graffitti issued a set of proposals for an overhaul of the laws and regulations in the con- struction sector, as part of a wider set of proposals tackling planning, the environment, the ecosystem, transportation and large-scale projects. The full document, titled Reforming Planning and Con- struction in Malta, was drafted with the participation of legal and technical experts and will be pre- sented to the authorities in the coming weeks. The proposals include a register for contractors, created with crite- ria for the licensing and classifica- tion of each contractor, and legal provisions for developers to enter into a formal contract with build- ing contractors that is stringent and enforced. "The creation of a govern- ment-run registry of developers' companies and contractors effec- tively revokes the agreement be- tween the MDA and the Building Regulation Office (BRO) for the administration of this registry; the creation of a public complaints system and a register of these complaints ensures transparency, whereby proven repeated com- plaints should lead to the black- listing of contractor/developer by the use of a penalty points sys- tem," Graffitti said. The proposals also demand a limit on the number of permits executed concurrently in a set ar- ea. "Where permits involve the use of heavy vehicles and machinery for purposes including but not limited to demolition and exca- vation works, a delay of the com- mencement of works by a suitable period of time should be imposed so as not to inconvenience resi- dents with an excessive amount of construction work in their area." On health and safety, Graffitti called for laws that impose decent standards to safeguard residents' health and safety in areas close to construction sites. The activists said they want a serious enforcement of the laws regulating construction, to give, without exception, protection and dignity to workers and residents alike; and the amendment of the law to allow no more than eight hours of construction work dur- ing the day, commencing from no earlier than 8am. They also called for costs for ac- commodation and compensation for the property and contents lost, as well as legal, psychological and logistical support for residents af- fected by accidents, to be paid for from a fund until responsibility is legally established. "Whoever is found to be responsible is then to refund all expenses taken from the fund." Graffitti also demanded an on- going audit of all construction sites in activity; risk assessments for handling construction waste so as to minimise particulate mat- ter emissions; and all reasonable costs incurred by residents in en- suring their own safety to be billed to the developer. Graffitti said the Occupation- al Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) and to the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations (DIER) should have bol- stered resources to ensure that construction workers are not ex- ploited. "The exploitation of workers should be heavily penalised and contractors who exploit workers should have their license to oper- ate withdrawn. Employers in the construction industry to be legally obliged to pay accident insurance for their workers. This measure ensures that workers who suffer injuries receive compensation in a speedy manner; and puts the responsibility on contractors and developers to uphold health and safety standards, since insurance companies will not accept to pay claim settlements for sites that do not conform with these stand- ards." Graffitti pushes for construction reform with raft of proposals ROBERT Abela has insisted "nobody will enjoy impunity" and has urged the police to take all necessary action after a woman died when her building col- lapsed. The Prime Minister confirmed that six people connected to an adjacent construction site were arrested by the police. Miriam Pace, 54, died after she was buried under the rubble of her house that collapsed in Hamrun on Monday. The project's architect, two con- tractors, the site technical officer and two people who were working on the construction site were arrest- ed as part of the police investigation. Abela was asked about the incident, while on his way into Castille for a Cabinet meeting that is expected to discuss the tragedy. The incident has caused wide- spread anger at what many believe is the impunity enjoyed by the con- struction industry. Abela expressed solidarity with the victim's family and described the sit- uation as "serious" and that he was concerned. He urged the police to take imme- diate action and bring to justice any- body who may be responsible for the Pace's death. Asked whether the government's actions last year to change the rules governing excavation and demolition were enough, Abela said the govern- ment will review the regulations. "We have to see whether the rules are enough but the most important thing is to ensure that what hap- pened yesterday does not happen again… a woman was killed," Abela said. Robert Abela: 'Nobody will enjoy impunity' Robert Abela