Red Tape Slows Urgent Workplace Safety Reform

A key piece of legislation aimed at protecting workers is hitting another delay tonight. The Occupational Safety and Health Bill, meant to tackle long-standing concerns about workplace safety, could take weeks before it even returns to the National Assembly. Senators have already submitted their recommendations, but CEO Tanya Santos says the review process is far from over. With more fine-tuning ahead, the wait continues for a bill, many say is long overdue.

 

Tanya Santos, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Labor

“I think that is a question for the Senate. But I would imagine they are taking a deeper dive on the bill itself, even though there were consultations in the past. It is at a point now where they feel they need to take a closer look and as such they have sent some significant recommendations for changes. Some are at a policy level that we are discussing with the minister. And others are technical that we can address with the Attorney General’s Ministry.”

 

Reporter

“My understanding is that the major hurdle that needs to be crossed is in relation to domestic workers and getting inspection done when a complaint is filed.”

 

Tanya Santos

“And perhaps its not so much a consideration of the individual and the domestic worker but the workplace, but in that line we can look at it and come up with a favorable position for all parties.”

 

Reporter

“So how will there be redress if you cannot confirm some of the facts of a case by going to take a look at the surroundings.”

 

Tanya Santos

“Well like I said its not off the table. It is all being looked at but even currently there exist options for redress for domestic workers. There is the Labor Department. you can always go and lodge a complaint there. There is a Labor Complaint Tribunal. So any other measure would be additional if it comes to that.”

 

CEO Santos says the ministry will respond to the Senate’s submissions within a month.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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