Laos VP calls for compliance with Covid-19 rules in garment factories

VIENTIANE, June 19 (Vientiane Times): Vice President of the Lao PDR Pany Yathotou has stressed the need for garment factories to comply with measures introduced to prevent the spread of Covid-19, to ensure that workers and staff are protected.

Pany Yathotou discussed the issue when visiting two large garment factories owned by Trio (Laos) Export Limited and Trimax Co., Ltd. in Vientiane on Wednesday, to show her support as the clothing industry struggles to overcome the difficulties caused by the pandemic.

The foreign-owned Trio Garment Factory is located in Sikeuth village, Naxaithong district. It was established in 1995 and has about 2, 800 workers, of whom 16 are foreign nationals. The factory produces a variety of clothing, has the capacity to produce more than 200, 000 garments, and generates at least 27.5 billion kip a month.

In his report presented to the vice president and her delegation, factory Manager Somphou Oudomphone said that under instructions from the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control, the factory had set up a taskforce comprising 11 members to monitor everyone entering and leaving the factory, check people’s temperature, provide soap or hand sanitiser, and ensure the wearing of face masks and social distancing.

About 600 workers have had two doses of Covid-19 vaccine and 133 have had one dose, he said.

The Trimax Garment Factory was established in 1994 with full foreign investment and is located in Nahae village, Sikhottabong district. It has 705 workers, of whom 596 are female, and 27 foreign employees. All of the items produced are exported.

The garment industry is one of the main generators of foreign currency for Laos.

Pany praised the work and achievements of the two factories and emphasised the need for management to continue to carry out the measures laid down by authorities to ensure the safety of all employees during the Covid-19 pandemic. - Vientiane Times/ANN