There was drama at Sunbelt Industries Ltd in Namanve after a Chinese national blocked Betty Among, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development from accessing the factory.
On April 28, Minister Amongi conducted spot inspections of various factories to assess the labour related issues faced by workers.
The visit started at Rose Foam mattresses factory in Mbalala, on the Mukono-Jinja highway and later extended to Tian Tang industries, Royal Van Zanten Flower Farm and Sunbelt Industries Ltd in Namanve.
But at Sunbelt Industries Ltd, Minister Amongi was blocked by a Chinese national who insisted the minister was not welcome to visit some sections of the factory.
Minister Amongi’s security team swung in action and arrested the Chinese man for disrespecting the top government official.
The Chinese man was detained at Namanve Police Station.
When the minister and her team finally entered some sections of the factory such as the pump and steel section, they beheld poor working and hygiene conditions, a lack of sanitary facilities for the women and men who work here.
The pit latrine the over 100 women in the factory use is nearly full and the smell shocked Amongi and her team.
The minister was also shocked to learn that most of the employees at the factory did not have protective gear.
Most of the lacked gloves, boots and headgear.
Employees also reported wanton dismissal of workers and the poor working conditions including the lack of worker’s contracts and appointments, non issuance of worker’s identification cards, and harassment, among other challenges they are facing.
Among held a long meeting with the management of Sunbelt Industries Ltd to find solutions to challenges.
She also promised to step up inspection of workplaces and bring to book employers who operate without respecting labour standards.
On April 29, the minister is expected to inspect more factories as well as the Kampala Flyover Project.
