‘Minimise risk to workers’ health’

Patiala, April 8

After directions by the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board for procurement operations and instructions for arthiyas, the market committee, Patiala, has stated that arthiyas are supposed to provide clean drinking water, bathrooms, face masks and sanitisers to their workforce.

It has directed the arthiyas to ensure social distancing during the procurement operations at all times. The committee said the arthiyas were supposed to ensure availability of power cleaners and enough labour at their shops to ensure timely lifting of the produce, all to minimise health risks to workers over threat of spread of Covid-19. It said the licensees were required to provide clean bathrooms for the labour. “The workers are required to ensure a minimum of 2-metre distance at all times. The arthiyas will make provisions of first-aid kit and infrared thermometers at the shops,” it said.

Ravinder Singh Cheema, president, Punjab Arthiya Association, said the arthiyas were making provisions for clean places for labour, food and other facilities. — TNS