BCCI to focus on OSH Bill and 13th Senator

Arturo ‘Tux’ Vasquez

While the issue of a thirteenth senator has remained all but moot, Vasquez says that the matter will be put before the executive and membership of the chamber and, depending on their collective position, will advocate that the Barrow administration honors its word.

Arturo ‘Tux’ Vasquez, President, BCCI

“Yeah that has been a bit quiet but from what I am gathering is it is something that is still on the table and depending on how the executive of the chamber looks at it, it is something that perhaps we may be looking again to see where that is heading or whether it’s legal or illegal or, you know, how we think it’s best for that to progress because I think it would also have affected the N.G.O. community.”

Isani Cayetano

“And the issue of the social security coverage, that’s one which seems to be a bit sticky in terms of those who may be injured either while on their way to work or coming from work and not being able to be covered or receive any kind of injury benefits or what have you as a result of that.  Can you state your position?”

Arturo ‘Tux’ Vasquez

“Well I understand that in January of this year the social security act was changed to reflect that people injured on their way to work is no longer covered.  That is specifically for the employees but I think as employers it is also something that would be of interest to the private sector.  I heard the people from the citrus industry talking about it and I can see where their concern would be because people working in the fields it is my opinion that they are basically on the job from the minute they get on to a bus going to work.  So it is something that, again, depending on how the executive looks at and our membership that is something we may also want to address.”