Corona spike hits FTZ - Hundreds infected

Activists claim that Hundreds of workers at the Katunayake Free Trade Zone (FTZ) are Corona infected. random PCR tests at the FTZ has shown a sharp increase in the number of workers, claimed local sources Unverified sources claimed that the number rose to 55 workers within a week. Following random PCR tests carried out at another factor, 50 workers were found to be infected with COVID-19 and thereafter on the 7th of May the factory was closed and all workers were subject to PCR tests.

 

The test results were released on the 10th of May showing that 300 workers were infected whilst 150 others continued to work. In another factory seven workers tested positive but the number later increased to over 100 workers. Activists said that the workers have been made to self-quarantine in their respective hostels.

 

“Workers are very afraid though, as some co-workers have shown symptoms such as red eyes, fever, cough, and with some fainting whilst at work. The situation is particularly dangerous as there’s nobody of authority to take responsibility for the workers, as most of the human resource personnel are working from home,” activists said.

 

Workers from some factories fear that if they don’t go to work, those days will be cut from their leave. Many who test positive are also not taken to quarantine centres and have not been informed of a vaccine plan.

 

“Workers are also reluctant to stay home because their wages are cut if they do. So they go to work somehow because they cannot afford to stay home. Particularly if the worker who’s in self-quarantine is not from their own factory, workers continue to go to work as usual. When workers test positive and are either made to self-quarantine or sent to centers, not adequate testing is done of their close associates/co-workers,” activists claimed.