Government allows Cheetah Cement to resume operations

JEMIMA BEUKESWINDHOEKThe labour ministry has given Cheetah Cement the greenlight to return to work after the company complied with a myriad of identified shortfalls in terms of basic conditions of employment and occupational health and safety.The ministry pounced on the Chinese-owned factory and ordered it to cease operations on 10 May. It resumed operations on 23 May after officials satisfied themselves with rectification of identified issues. The ministry’s directive to close the cement factory followed an ad hoc visit by the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) to the site, which saw at least eight Chinese nationals being arrested and deported for not having work permits. At the time, NEFF accused the company of employing and bringing in Chinese nationals who came to do menial jobs that can be taken up by unskilled locals. According to the acting executive director in the ministry of labour, Lydia Indombo, the ministry conducted inspections between 16 and 20 May to evaluate compliance with the identified shortfalls and is now satisfied with the new arrangements, hence its recommendation to grant permission to resume operations.

However, in a statement issued by Indombo on Sunday a myriad of gross violations and lack of safety regulations were pointed out.

A number of inspections following the closure of the company found that workers were at risk as they were not provided with safety gear, including ear protection equipment for excavator operators, kidney belts or masks designed for mining operations.

It was also found during these inspections that workers worked in total darkness in the mining area.

It was also found that a health and safety committee was never established on site, while there is no health and safety plan or policy in place amid the failure of Cheetah Cement to investigate and identify health and safety hazards.

The ministry also found that while there were no provisions for first aid or emergency or supplies for health and safety emergencies.

“The mining trucks are operated without proper tyre handling tools and machineries and the company further has no safe work procedures for tyre handling and there is insufficient lighting in the workshop area,” the statement read.

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