Labour insists MCCAA employees at risk of asbestos exposure

Labour MP Helena Dalli insisted that an asbestos roof in a building adjacent to the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) was not safe as claimed by consumer affairs minister Jason Azzopardi and the MCCAA.

The MP stressed that the roof structure including the bolts are corroded and added that "The steel corrosion affect anything which is in contact with it, including the asbestos."

Azzopardi and the MCCAA are insisting that an examination conducted on an asbestos roof in a building adjacent to its offices - currently the subject of internal disquiet among employees - had recorded airborne asbestos fibre levels that were less than the limits imposed at law.

The MCCAA is insisting that its offices are not in danger from a nearby corroding asbestos roof and that its terrace and window areas adjacent to the building are not at risk of asbestos fibres.

A summary of the risk analysis report was presented to the representation of the General Workers Union and members of the health and safety committee. The GWU were however never presented with a full copy of the report but were simply briefed.

Dalli explained that the expert engaged by the authority pointed out the corroded bolts and roof.

"The expert himself had expressed concern about the corroded bolts which tie down the asbestos roof and the roof structure, so much so that he pointed out that the problem can only be resolved by the owner of the building who has the authority to remove the roof," Dalli said.

The MP asked "why did the expert underline the fact that no authority or entity in Malta has the authority to oblige the owner to remove the roof, if the roof is safe?"

She added that Azzopardi should "act immediately" if he has the employees' health at heart. "The minister should also declare whether the government carried out thorough studies to ensure that the premises were safe before signing the lease agreement," the MP said.

The 10-year lease the government signed for Mizzi House in October 2011, with Mizzi Estates Limited stipulating that the government will pay €300,000 per annum for the first two years rising to €427,000 in 2021. 

Over the 10-year period, the government will be paying €3.55 million to lease the main building and an additional €207,500 to lease the garage.

Mizzi House belongs to the Mizzi Organisation, which holds various business interests including automotive; tourism and leisure; manufacturing; services; real estate and mechanical and engineering contracting.

Before entering the political scene, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was the company lawyer of the Mizzi Organisation, for whom he also served as Group Chairman between 1989 and 1997.