Occupational Health, Safety Bill passed

IN a rare display of co-operation, the Government and Opposition succeeded in passing the Occupational Health and Safety Bill. Describing the event as “an historic day in the Parliament,” Leader of Government Business, Trade Minister Ken Valley expressed the hope that yesterday’s  camaraderie would see a new disposition on the part of the UNC towards passage of other special legislation.

However, his remarks were greeted by sneers and quips from the Opposition benches. Earlier in the session, Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday declared: “Blood has got to be on the conscience of those who did not support the Bill (when the UNC was in power).” Panday claimed that from 1999 to 2002, 22 workers died while 2,694 were injured.

The UNC leader waded heavily into several Government MPs, who refused to support the Bill when they were in Opposition. Panday was particularly severe on Science, Technology and Tertiary Education Minister Colm Imbert who Panday charged was “at the forefront of their (PNM) quixotic misadventures.” On three occasions, Imbert said Panday was imputing impropriety according to Standing Order 36(5) and was forced to seek the protection of House Speaker Barry Sinanan. Panday wondered why the word “outsmart” was being considered offensive but averted another clash with the Speaker by apologising to Imbert. Panday demanded that the Bill be passed, sent to the Senate on Tuesday and be assented by President George Maxwell Richards on Friday.

Labour Minister Larry Achong gave the assurance that the Bill would be passed by the Lower House and would not be sent to a Joint Select Committee when it goes to the Senate. The Minister added that the PNM has always encouraged the labour movement but that remark evoked a chorus of jeers from the Opposition.