The Cross River State government has directed all the workers of the Cross River Garment Factory back to work for mass production of face and nose masks.
The state governor, Prof Ben Ayade who issued the order in Calabar on Monday said the workers are to resume on March 31 after the factory would have been disinfected.
The workers were initially sent home in line with the partial lock down declared by the governor as a precautionary measure against the spread of the COVID-19.
Speaking in Calabar, Ayade said it had become imperative for the workers to return to work in view of the urgency and the need to tackle the deadly virus headlong.
“The Garment Factory workers are being recalled for mass production of nose/mouth masks in order to stem the pandemic.
“As the workers return to start mass production of the masks, we will ensure that they keep a reasonable distance from one another in keeping with the industrial distancing protocol”, he said.
The governor said proper fumigation of the factory had been carried out preparatory to the resumption of production.
He said the factory workers will be properly kitted to ensure they are fit for the purpose in addition to being paid special allowances.
“Working at this time when there is a general shut down requires a special compensation. The Garment factory workers will be fairly compensated,” he said.
Besides, Ayade said precautionary measures will also entail that the number of workers being recalled are manageable.
“We are going to reduce the number of workers per shift and they will keep a distance of not less than five metres. We are producing the masks for distribution to our most vulnerable people,” he stated.
The governor promised to provide medical services to the most vulnerable in the state while also activating the state’s food bank to ensure that “we deliver food to the most vulnerable in this lockdown.”
