CM asks garment factory to be shut temporarily

On Monday, about 150 workers complained of vomiting and stomach ache, and had to be hospitalised

A day after the outbreak of an infection owing to suspected water contamination at a garment factory in the city, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy directed the management to shut down the unit until further investigation into the issue.

The Chief Minister has issued instructions to Bengaluru Urban DC K.A. Dayanand to ensure closure of the garment factory until reports from Karnataka Pollution Control Board and Health Department are submitted, an official release said.

The incident came to light on Monday when about 150 workers complained of vomiting and stomach ache, and had to be taken to a hospital.

The factory, identified as Silver Crest Clothing Ltd., is located near Sarjapur under Anekal limits, and employs around 2,500 garment workers.

Test results in 48 hours

Sunanda Reddy, district vector-borne disease control officer, said results of the samples were expected in 48 hours. “At the outset, it does not appear to be gastroenteritis, but looks like an infection from water contamination,” she said, adding that they also suspect that the garment workers could have contracted the infection from dust and dye in the factory.

Yashoda, member of Karnataka State Garment Workers Union, said members would visit the factory on Wednesday and take a call on initiating legal action.