MAN advises members to comply with COVID-19 safety protocols
THE MANUFAC TURER ASSO CIATION OF NI GERIA has urged its members to comply with the safety protocols and guidelines laid down by the National Centre for Disease Control and Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19.
The association said the advice became necessary against the backdrop of the news that a manufacturing company allegedly held workers in the factory against their will during the national lockdown following the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
Mansur Ahmed, the MAN president, in a statement, said the report was contrary to the directives of MAN to its members, especially manufacturers of essential items that were permitted to operate during the lockdown.
According to him, manufacturers have been advised to sensitise and educate their workforce on the need to comply with NCDC and various government guidelines on the operation of manufacturing establishments.
They were advised to provide requisite facilities for the prevention of COVID-19 in line with extant guidelines of the NCDC, Ahmed said.
He explained that the association had instructively communicated to manufacturers the initial phase of easing of lockdown that their establishments should put in place control measures to flatten the curve or reduce the risk of further spreading of COVID-19.
The statement read in part, “MAN believes that human lives cannot be equated to wealth and thus manufacturing activities should take place within the safest environment.
“The association has been in touch with the affected member and believes that the organisation will speak for itself on the matter as such practice is not what MAN encourages.
“MAN therefore seizes this opportunity to enjoin manufacturers to ensure safety work environment for employees as a way of helping to curb the spread of the virus and also keep the employees alive long enough to continue to contribute to the growth and development of the manufacturing sector.”
MAN president said that the communication to members highlighted the need to adhere to the guidelines in the case where member(s) of staff member were suspected to have symptoms of COVID-19.