Daily US Times: The world’s largest latex gloves maker Top Glove will shut more than half of its factories after almost 2,500 of its employees tested positive for coronavirus.
The Malaysian company will close down 28 plants in phases as it seeks to control the Covid-19 outbreak, authorities said.
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the company has seen a huge surge in demand for its personal protective gear.
However, there have been concerns about the working conditions of the low-paid migrant workers the company relies upon.
Malaysia’s health ministry reported a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases on Monday, in areas where Top Glove factories and dormitories are located.
The ministry said nearly 5,800 workers have been screened so far with 2,453 testing positive.
Top Glove operates 41 factories in Malaysia. Many of its workers coming from Nepal and living in crowded dormitory complexes.
Director-General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah told Reuters news agency that all those who tested positive for Covid-19 have been hospitalised and their close contacts have been quarantined to avoid infecting other workers.
It is not cler when the factory closures will begin but the decision is scheduled to take place in stages.
Top Glove has been in the spotlight for its record high profits this year, but also over allegations of exploitative labour practices at the firm.
In July, the US banned the import of gloves from two of the company’s subsidiaries following forced labour concerns.
You may read: Retail workers ‘scared’ as Covid cases surge