Food poisoning - tough action against employers soon

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Labour Ministry has stressed the need to implement strict laws to take action against employers who provide meals to employees without the supervision of Public Health Inspectors or the relevant health authorities in their areas.

This follows a food poisoning incident on Wednesday reported from a garment factory at Gemunupura, Mahiyangana. According to a spokesman for the Mahiyangana Hospital, over 300 employees took ill after consuming an unhygienic fish curry.

A senior Police spokesman said the employees had developed severe stomach pains and had symptoms of fever, vomiting and nausea on returning homes after work. They were rushed to the Mahiyangana Hospital by their parents and guardians. Labour Ministry Secretary General Mahinda Madihahewa told the Sunday Observer that similar incidents had been reported earlier too.

"Although the Health Ministry investigates these incidents they do not come under our purview, but this particular incident prompted the Labour Department to investigate," he said.

Madihahewa said the Department had already sent a doctor to the Mahiyangana Hospital to conduct further investigations and his report will reach Colombo within the next two days.

Similar to other labour related matters, incidents of this nature too should also be investigated by the Labour Department.

A Bill to investigate such incidents will be submitted to Parliament shortly to enable the Labour Department to take action against employers in future. Mahiyangana police and officials of the Ridimaliyadda DMO's office are also conducting investigations.