Unions welcome De Marco move to Hexagon House

Parliamentary Secretary Mario de Marco has temporarily moved office to Hexagon House in Marsa.

His Office said the parliamentary secretary wanted to personally monitor working conditions there after the employees of the Mepa Environment section - whose offices are at Hexagon House - complained that they could not work because of noxious smells.

He is expected to be there for a week.

The workers held a protest walk this week from Marsa to the Mepa head office in Floriana. After talks between Mepa and the trade unions, it was agreed that pending further investigations, the workers would work from the Mepa head office or from home.

Marsa council has asked the government to settle the issue, which, it said, was also causing inconvenience to residents and other workers.

The unions representing the Hexagon House workers said the employees were allowed home some 50 times in two years because of the stench.

In a statement this afternoon the unions said they welcomed Dr de Marco's 'bold initiative', adding that they wished that such a move was extended in order to realistically experience the poor air quality problem in the building and the surrounding port area.

However, they cautioned, whoever took this decision was putting at risk the health of his employees since it was confirmed during a meeting held with Mepa Management yesterday that health concerns existed within the building.

"As an advanced and responsible country, decisions are taken on scientific evidence and not on personal judgments and hence the reason why an agreement was reached between Mepa and Management for scientific and risk studies to be carried out by experts prior to the offices being re-occupied," the unions said.

"The unions believe that Mepa has to live up to its key objectives of being transparent and protecting the country’s environment. The unions look forward to receiving the independent report directly from the engaged consultants on the air quality and air circulation within the building."