There are not enough officials to enable the Occupational Health and Safety Authority to carry out its duties, according to the Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin.

Jesmond Bonello, the union's assistant general secretary, urged the government to give health and safety at the workplace the necessary priority in the upcoming budget.

He said the funds allocated to the authority were not enough for it to function effectively and carry out the necessary re- search and training. Moreover, health and safety legislation was inadequate to cover the prevailing workplace situation and penalties should reflect the serious implications of infringing health and safety laws.

In the meantime, Mr Bonello said, the union would be holding a number of courses on health and safety in the coming months, including a first aid course and a practical and theoretical course on ergonomics.