Minister
21 April 2009
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has expressed shock and anger at yet
another factory blaze in Paarl last night (Monday) which left six workers
hospitalised for smoke inhalation.
The fire at Novo Food Packers is said to have broken out at around 21h30,
only three days after a similar accident that left nine workers dead and eleven
others seriously injured at a media printing factory just about three
kilometres away in the same industrial area.
Commenting on the latest incident, Minister Mdladlana said the frequency of
fatalities and injuries at work places was a clear indication that employers
were not taking the health and safety of their workers seriously as it remained
the responsibility of the employer to assure the safety of workers.
âWhile we can be grateful that no lives have been lost, it is still shocking
and angering that this kind of incidents can happen at such frequency in one
area. Workers go to the workplaces to make a living not to die. No business or
employment is worth the lives of workers,â he said.
Labour inspectors, together with fire extinguishers were at the scene within
minutes of the fire breakout, they are still trying to establish the possible
cause of the fire. The Minister wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Enquiries:
Zingisile Mapazi
Cell: 078 803 7879
Issued by: Department of Labour
21 April 2009
