Mapping industries

Reiterating that the managements of factories have a “huge” responsibility, Dr. Inoka Suraweera, Consultant Community Physician of the Health Ministry’s Environmental and Occupational Health Unit, told Friday’s media briefing that as far back as March-April factories were instructed to appoint focal points to ensure the safety of workers.

“We had requested all the information about factory workers (name, temporary & permanent addresses, contact number etc) but there are some gaps. As such we have held discussions with Board of Investment (BOI) zonal managers to expedite the collection of such data,” she said, pointing out that the Medical Officers of Health (MOH) and Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) are in the process of making comprehensive map of the industries in their areas.

The deadline for receiving this data from industries, categorized into two – large- scale (with more than 250 employees) and medium- scale (between 250 and 50 employees) – has been set for October 31, it is learnt. If a factory is in an Export Promotion Zone, these data should also be sent to that office.

Underscoring that factory workers contribute a lot to the economy, Dr. Suraweera said that they need to be kept safe. “We have clearly instructed that any worker who is ill should not be made to work. If there are any with COVID-19 like symptoms, their details should be recorded and the area’s MOH informed.