PROCLAIM THE OSH ACT NOW

The OSH Act was passed by the House of Representatives in December, 2003 and the Senate in January, 2004 and assented to by President Richards on January 30, 2004 amidst the clamour by the Opposition United National Congress, the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC), the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions the PNM Government is determined to make ridiculous excuses in order to stall proclamation of OSH legislation. Clearly there is a powerful business lobby within the Cabinet forcing the PNM to derail legislation that offers protection to workers in 21st century Trinidad and Tobago.

This powerful business lobby in the PNM had been at work since 1975 strangling every attempt at worker protection in the workplace. Montano said he had problems with several sections of the OSH legislation. Really?

Where was Montano when the OSH legislation was debated in the Senate in January, 2004? Did he raise any objections? No.

But, he is now saying that he disagrees with Part V, section 26 to 30B which mandates the Fire Services Department to inspect business establishments and issue safety clearance certificates.

The OSH Act says that the Fire authority will ensure that there are "such means of escape in the case of fire for the persons employed therein as may reasonably be required".

Minister Montano is objecting to the Fire Authorities insisting that there must be means of escape in industrial establishments for employee in the event of a fire.

Maybe this was the reason why prior to 1995, under the PNM, all the fire escape exists in the Riverside Plaza, which houses three Ministries of Government, were blocked and the locks and hinges seized due to lack of maintenance.

Only last week, a fire official complained that businessmen were not adhering to advice that they should be careful in stacking goods in their establishments. At any rate, Section 26 (12) of the OSH legislation allows owners of business establishments to appeal to the Industrial Court, any decision of the fire authority which they object to.

Minister Montano has no justification to stall the OSH legislation. I am disappointed that, with such a tragic loss only weeks ago on the Trade Wind Sunrise and that of about nine other workers during the past ten months, that the PNM is still looking for excuses to stall the proclamation of the OSH legislation.

What a shame that a Government that professes to "care" seems unconcerned about the loss of life of workers and the loss of breadwinners to families across the land. The PNM must proclaim the OSH Act Now!

HARRY PARTAP

MP-Nariva