Labor Commissioner General Prabath Chandrakeerthi yesterday strongly denied allegations made by the free trade zone and the General Workers’ Union regarding the spread of COVID-19 in factories.

In a statement, the labor commissioner general said the Labor Ministry was paying continued attention to the issues not only of employees in garment factories, but all employees in the private sector and would intervene whenever necessary.

Here is the statement of the labor commissioner general.

First of all, I reject the incorrect and malicious statement by the Free Trade Zone and the General Workers’ Union that the Ministry of Labor should be held responsible for the spread of COVID-19 in factories across the country.

Recently, an investigation was carried out in the Thulhiriya MAS fabric park on the instructions of the Minister of Labor, as a large number of employees tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, it was reported that the institution had complied with the health guidelines of the Department of Labor and that the Hygiene Committee met once a week and paid constant attention to the health of the employees.

In addition, they had followed health safety measures, such as wearing masks, using disinfectants, inhaling steam and disinfecting sewing machines after each list. However, it was reported that not only the employees but also the senior management of the institution were also victims of the disease.

Therefore, it is evident that Anton Marx’s statement that the COVID-19 virus has spread throughout the Thulhiriya MAS tissue park due to the failure to establish health committees is a statement without a scientific basis. The Ministry of Labor has given the necessary instructions to factory owners for the creation of health committees and has constantly raised awareness through the Federation of Employers as well as the media.

Also, I want to mention that, despite the fact that Anton Marx was advised to notify the Ministry of Labor of factories that have not established health committees, he had so far not informed me of no such institution. In addition to this, a request was made by the owners of private establishments that pregnant women not be called upon to work, which had already been provided to pregnant women in the public sector.

In addition, it was also requested to give priority to private sector employees who contribute enormously to the economy of the country as part of the immunization program.

All employers and employees are urged to adhere to published health guidelines which will be issued in the future by the Department of Health Services.

Accordingly, I inform you that the Ministry of Labor pays continued attention to the problems not only of employees of garment factories, but of all employees of the private sector and will intervene whenever necessary.

Therefore, I would like to stress that it is essential for all of us to cooperate with each other and eradicate this pandemic rather than bringing accusations against each other.