Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1494946
2 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 15 MARCH 2023 2 KURT SANSONE THE licensing of building con- tractors will kick off in June and close in October under govern- ment plans unveiled today by Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi to reg- ulate the sector. The Planning Minister said the regime will lead to better enforce- ment in the construction sector, adding that enforcement of the relevant provisions will kick in on 1 November. Public consultation on the plan opened on Monday and will run until 21 April. The final cut-off date for all contractors to be licensed is Jan- uary 2025. A reform of the sector has been on the table for several years but calls intensified after the tragic death of Jean Paul Sofia, who was killed when a building under con- struction collapsed last year. Government is proposing that applicants will have to have in- surance policies in place, safe- guarding protecting both third parties and their employees. Ap- plicants have to be over 18 and cannot be bankrupt. Zrinzo Azzopardi said the building and construction watch- dog could suspend license ap- plications in the interim period between June and October if con- tractors breach regulations. Any suspension would apply to all building sites on which that par- ticular contractor is operating. There will be three separate li- cences for demolition, excavation and building works with contrac- tors able to apply for all three. Contractors seeking a demoli- tion and excavation licence will need to have three years of expe- rience in the field, confirmed by two architects. Those who have an MQF Level 4 qualification in the sector only require two years' experience. Those seeking a building licence must be licenced as masons. Companies applying for a licence must employ a licenced mason and have at least three years of experience. The Malta Developers' Associa- tion welcomed the proposed re- gime and called for efficiency by the building regulator in process- ing licence applications. The MDA said contractors who fail to obtain a licence will stop being members, and contractors who have their licence revoked due to gross negligence will be dismissed. GWU welcomes proposals The General Workers' Union has welcomed the public con- sultation on the new licensing regime for building contrac- tors. "These laws are desperate- ly needed in the construction sector because there should be greater enforcement and responsibility, as well as an improvement in quality," Josef Bugeja, General Secretary of the GWU, said on Tuesday. On Monday, Planning Min- ister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi revealed measures for a new licencing regime for building contractors, which is set to take effect next June. Public consultation on these proposals opened on Monday and will run until 21 April. The final cut-off date for all con- tractors to be licensed is Janu- ary 2025. The union agreed with gov- ernment in forcing an appli- cant who is also an employer, to provide liability insurance coverage for workplace acci- dent. The GWU said it has long emphasised the need for con- tractors to have enough aware- ness of fundamental health and safety standards and laws, as well as a code of practice. The union also insisted on licenced contractors supply- ing all essential and approved equipment for its personnel, who should also be qualified according to the regulatory limit standards. Contractors will need licence to operate under new regulatory regime starting in June Planning Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi unveiling the planned reforms for building contractors KARL AZZOPARDI THE Building and Construction Authority issued 324 fines since it was established in 2021. The information was tabled in the House by Planning Min- ister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi in a reply to a parliamentary question by Labour MP Katya de Giovanni on how many in- spections were carried out by the BCA since 2021. The minister said 20,546 in- spections were carried out be- tween April 2021 to February 2023. The authority carried out 7,159 inspections in 2021, 10,298 in 2022 and 3,089 in the first two months of 2023. 324 financial penalties were issued between January 2021 and February 2023. 76 fines were issued in 2021, 129 in 2022 and 119 in 2023. 573 stop notices to construc- tion sites were issued between January 2021 and February 2023. 90 of these were in 2021, 350 were in 2022 and 133 in 2023. On Monday, Zrinzo Azzopar- di unveiled proposals for a new licensing regime for building contractors expected to kick in next June. The Planning Minister said the regime will lead to bet- ter enforcement in the con- struction sector, adding that enforcement of the relevant provisions will kick in on 1 No- vember. Public consultation on the plan opened on Monday and will run until 21 April. A reform of the sector has been on the table for several years but calls intensified after the tragic death of Jean Paul Sofia, who was killed when a building under construction collapsed last year. Construction watchdog issued 324 fines since 2021 Investing in funds can provide several benefits We offer over 9,000 Global Funds Benefit from 50% discount on initial fees Diversification Professional management Variety of asset classes Offer valid until 30 th April 2023, terms apply. Calamatta Cuschieri Investment Services Ltd (CCIS) is licensed to conduct investment services business under the Investments Services Act (CAP370) by the MFSA. 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