Only promises for EPZ workers awaiting jabs

The health authorities were yet to implement a proper scheme to inoculate workers at major Export Processing Zones (EPZ), concerned companies alleged.

They said that although the issue had been taken up at various levels and ministerial assurances given, sufficient stocks of vaccines hadn’t been made available to EPZ. One of the worst affected was the Biyagama Zone, they alleged, urging the government to prioritize the inoculation drive.

During Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa’s visit to the Biyagama Zone recently, the companies had been promised sufficient stocks of vaccines, they said.

Irate management level personnel pointed out that EPZ factories functioned during travel restrictions under severe difficulties and avoided major disruptions.

With the country experiencing severe financial difficulties due to the Covid-19 epidemic, the national economy couldn’t afford major disruptions in EPZ under any circumstances, they said.

Sources said that some BOI enterprises were planning peaceful protest early this month to highlight the urgent need to vaccinate those working therein but dropped the move following assurances received from authorities their concerns would be addressed