OHSA estimates approved

Parliament yesterday approved with 34 votes for and 33 votes against the Occupational Health and Safety Authority Estimates for 2010, after a division.

The estimates, presented by Health Minister Joseph Cassar, provides for an expenditure of €774,179, the bulk of which - €601,466 - fall under personal emoluments.

The anticipated deficit between the government grant of €750,000 and the budgeted expenditure - amounting to €24,000 - will be offset by accrued surplus for 2009.

Increments arising out of OHSA's collective agreement, and which are payable this year, account for the major part of this deficit.