A Glendale-based Chinese mining company is allegedly
forcing workers to stay at the mine for fear that they will spread the
coronavirus.
Some of the workers were allegedly suspended from work for
two months after they defied the order.
The company’s general manager, only identified as Neyma or
“Bigger Boss”, said management met with workers who volunteered to stay at the
mine in a bid to avoid mixing with other people who might be infected with the
coronavirus.
“We put this precautionary measure as a way of minimising
the spread of the pandemic,” he said.
“Our workers volunteered as you have heard in South Africa
the disease is already wreaking havoc. So we do not want these workers to bring
the virus here.”
Neyma confirmed the suspension of the workers that ignored
the directive.
“The management will decide on that matter, but we did not
fire them as alleged,” he said. “They are on suspension.
“Even the president of this country called for the closure
of colleges and schools so our case is not a special one.”
But workers alleged that they were being abused by their
employer.
“We are being abused by these people,” said one of the
workers who requested to remain anonymous.
“For the past three days we are being forced to sleep in a
workshop and it’s overcrowded.”
Another employee said he was suspended after he told
management that he wanted to have time with his family.
“I was suspended from work because I requested to see my
family and they told me to choose between work and family,” he claimed.
“So I decided to go to my family.” Rechel Sosera, the district medical officer for Concession,
said she was not aware of the case, and that the area had no confirmed
coronavirus cases. Standard
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