By Sue-Ann Wayow
THREE-year contracts have been offered to inspectors employed with the Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) following Cabinet’s approval in April.
This was announced by Labour Minister Stephen Mc Clashie during the Senate on Thursday.
The approval was made on April 21.
He said the month-to-month contractual arrangement for inspectors was just an interim measure.
“I wish to emphasise that the month-to-month contractual arrangement was an interim measure, not a long-term arrangement and definitely not one that would become the norm.”
Mc Clashie added, “It has been used to facilitate the continued functioning of the agency to undertake its critical work pending the relevant approvals.”
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He said due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the process for engaging inspectors was taking longer than anticipated.
The minister also assured the House that the issue of month-to-month contracts has been addressed and that he will do his best to ensure that such a situation does not re-occur.
Opposition Senator Wade Mark said there was a “profound crisis” affecting the OSHA as based on reports read, in a period of 15 months, 14 safety inspectors have tendered resignations including the chief inspector.
Last month in Parliament, Mc Clashie said 88 out of the 152 positions at OSHA were vacant including the position of chief inspector.
He said the ministry was hoping to fill the vacancies within a month and a half.
