UĦM lays stress on health and safety

Health and safety at the workplace is of vital importance, even more important than better working conditions and higher salaries, the general secretary of the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin, Gejtu Vella insisted yesterday.

Speaking near St Francis church in Ħamrun, during the union's celebrations marking Labour Day, Mr Vella said the UĦM was treating the matter with the utmost urgency because health and safety at the workplace is fast becoming "just a slogan".

The union is committed to its health and safety campaign, which has as main theme Less Words And More Action.

"What's the use of fighting hard for better working conditions and better salaries if workers are constantly risking their lives at their workplace, risking not returning home? This is why we are committed to improving health and safety at the workplace," he said.

The issue boils down to a change in mentality. "Most of the time it's negligence and lack of thought. We have to make health and safety at the workplace part of our lifestyle. The situation is particularly bad in the construction industry where workers are not protected. We can take no chances," Mr Vella said.

The UĦM will continue working in the best interest of workers, whichever government is in office and whoever the employer. "We do not celebrate Labour Day with political parties and this is what makes us different", he added.

Earlier, the UĦM awarded the second edition of the Antoine Azzopardi Health and Safety Award to photographer Michael Ellul, who participated in a competition on the subject.

Mr Azzopardi, a former UĦM official, died in 2006. He studied health and safety practices and strived to put such principles into practice.

The UĦM general secretary along with union president Gejtu Tanti and assistant general secretary Jesmond Bonello laid wreaths at the foot of the monument of Salvinu Spiteri in Villambrosa Street, Ħamrun. Mr Spiteri was the union's founder and first president.