4 December 2007
Maputo — The Mozambican Labour Ministry has effectively closed down a fertilizer company in the central province of Manica for gross violations of the country's labour legislation.
According to a Friday release from the Ministry, a joint inspection by the Labour and Health provincial directorates took place from 29 December to 2 January, and concluded that working conditions in the company were dangerous, and possibly lethal.
The Mozambique Fertiliser Company Ltd, located in Gondola district, has a workforce of 150, who produce and bag fertiliser. But they do so without protective clothing, and without social security.
The Ministry banned any further activity at the company as from Wednesday. It can only resume operations once it satisfies a long list of demands made by the inspection team.
These include providing boots, gloves, face masks and adequate clothing to all the workers, and giving each and every one of them a medical examination. The company must also set up a first aid post.
The company had not registered with the National Social Security Institute (INSS), and will not be allowed to re-open until all its workers have proper social security cover. The company was also ordered to take out collective insurance for the workers against risks of illness and accidents arising from the materials they are handling.
The inspectors also found the company was ignoring basic rights concerning contracts, working hours and overtime. So the list of demands includes giving all workers (including part time workers) a written work contract, recording faithfully in an appropriate book all overtime worked, and establishing the legally required weekly period of rest, and lunch breaks.
Physical conditions in the company must be improved by putting bulk produce in appropriate containers, and establishing proper routines for the removal of all waste. The factory also requires a storm water drainage system, and the installation of fume extractors.
The inspectors also found a Lebanese citizen named Hilla Daude working illegally at the company. The only document this man could produce was a driving licence issued in the northern city of Nampula.
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