By ‘Majirata Latela
One of the local textile factories, Formosa Textiles, sent back its Basotho workers who were already at work on Wednesday morning after three Chinese members of staff tested positive for Covid-19.
This was confirmed by Independent Democratic Union of Lesotho (IDUL) deputy general secretary May Rathakane, who said he received confirmation from one of the Formosa executives that they had to release all factory workers as a precautionary measure and to fumigate the firm.
“I got the message today through a phone call, and I am yet to find all the details as I have also been informed by some of the workers that it is not true that only three Chinese have tested positive, but eight.
“We are also concerned about the decision to send the workers home without testing them as per the agreement that resulted in factories continuing to work during the lockdown.
“We were promised that factory workers will be taken care of, so we are shocked to learn that when some of the Chinese staff members have tested positive, our people are just sent home to continue spreading the virus; not to mention that they do not know their status and have been mingling with those Chinese,” Rathakane said.
He added that they are still trying to get all the facts from the factory’s management, and to get reassurances from the ministry of trade regarding its promises to employees that are working during lockdown.
