OSHA is the best thing since slice bread

THE EDITOR: I’m surprised to hear the TTMA issue a statement to direct the government to act on OSHA, when we read recently that the state is on target with its implementation of OSHA. One could only assume they are so caught up in making profit that they do not make time for news. But, what I find most amazing is when did the TTMA membership grow a social conscience?
The TTMA’s response has all the shades of the naked opportunism that in recent time is trying to mask as nationalist concern. What is the difference between Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj’s sudden benevolence in wanting to defend the rights of the residents of Chatham against the ALCOA Aluminum Smelter, and the members of the TTMA being concerned about workers safety and health in the workplace? The TTMA lacks the moral authority to advise the government on implementing OSHA.
Further, workers must view this group with grave suspicion, if it would use its platform to call on the Government to implement OSHA, just at the point when just some weeks ago Ms Ria Taitt of the Newsday reported the Minister of Labour had stated his ministry was about to hire 38 more staff to “man” OSHA.
Why hasn’t the TTMA used its platform to chastise some of the repeat offenders of Health and Safety Standards amongst its ranks. The TTMA has also been notoriously quiet about those within its membership who will not tolerate workers’ representative organizations.
The management at the TTMA is trying to ‘mislead’ workers into believing that occupational accidents are the fault of the government.
They have ruthlessly set out to capitalise on this emotional time for the families of the Powergen accident, their intention is to take workers’ eyes off the failure of employers, owners and management to “put safety first.”
TTMA cast aside your prejudices and profit-centred approach, and ask workers to join you at the boardroom level to discuss improving the safety and health standards in the workplace. Let’s try to get the job done safe everytime, you have nothing to lose, only to gain.