PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR JUSTICE AND REFORM OF THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR: BCA and OHSA engage citizens through the Helpline 138 awareness campaign

The Minister for Justice and the Reform of the Construction Sector, Jonathan Attard, along with the administration and staff of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), continued their awareness campaign for the 138 helpline. Recently, they visited several communities, including Valletta, Sliema, Buġibba, and Paola. During these visits, they not only addressed citizens’ questions but also distributed an informational leaflet to workers about health, safety, and construction-related issues.

“This community outreach demonstrates our commitment to not only promote the helpline service but also actively listen to feedback on how we can further improve the services we provide to our citizens,” said Minister Jonathan Attard.

According to the latest statistics, the helpline received a total of 14,474 calls in its first 21 weeks, averaging nearly 100 calls per day. Of these, 11,311 calls pertained to the BCA, while 3,163 were related to the OHSA.

The busiest week for the helpline was between November 25 and December 1, with 1,100 calls received, averaging 157 calls per day. The quietest week was December 23rd to 29th, during which 216 calls were received, despite the holiday season, averaging 31 calls per day.

Acting Chief Executive of the Building and Construction Authority, Architect Roderick Bonnici, explained that the 138 helpline has united the two authorities to handle public concerns more effectively and address them as needed. He expressed satisfaction with the public’s response during these community sessions, which also provided valuable insights into how the service could be further enhanced.

OHSA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Josianne Cutajar, emphasized that the OHSA serves as a resource for all workers across every sector in Malta. Through the 138 helpline, this resource has been further strengthened, providing a direct and efficient way for individuals to contact the authority and seek assistance.