‘Covid-19 enters textile factories’ 29 July 2020

ONE Precious Garments factory employee has tested positive for Coronavirus (Covid-19), the Ministry of Labour and Employment has said. Discovered last Wednesday, the infection has raised concerns on the safety of workers in the textile industry. The industry employs about 50 000 people, who often work in congested spaces. ‘Mamolise Falatsa, the public relations officer at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said they have since instructed the factory to tighten its safety precautions including fumigating the work area and introducing smaller shifts to minimise the spread of the virus.

…“The ministry has also instructed the firm to fumigate the factory surfaces to minimise the spread of the virus to other workers. We have impressed upon the management to introduce small working shifts to reduce the number of workers who are at the premises at any given time. This advice has been given to the factory ahead of the new Covid-19 regulations which now make it mandatory to implement such shifts.” She said the ministry would soon go back to inspect the factory to ensure that the company has implemented its directives. Meanwhile, in his Saturday address, Prime Minister Moeketsi Majoro announced that factories should introduce night shifts to reduce the number of workers at their premises at any given time.

…One of the workers at the factory said they were all shocked when their colleague tested positive for Covid-19. “We are scared but we must be strong for the sake of our jobs… We now know that the virus is a reality and we should continue observing safety precautions.” The employee said nine other workers who have come into contact with the infected person have been tested and are in a 14-day quarantine. Contacted for comment, the management of the factory said it would release a statement after consulting with the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The statement was yet to be released by the time of print.