The Minister of Labour, Peter Dimba has ordered the immediate closure of Central Poultry Limited in Lilongwe for failing to comply with labour laws and health and safety regulations.
The shutdown follows an inspection led by Minister Dimba and senior officials. The inspection uncovered poor sanitation, excessive working hours, low wages, and a lack of transportation for workers after shifts.
Some workers, speaking anonymously for fear of retaliation, disclosed that female employees have been robbed and raped due to late working hours and the lack of transport.
They also raised concerns over the absence of compensation for workplace injuries, exposure to extreme temperatures without proper protective gear, and being forced to work in cold rooms without freezer suits.
The company has been given time to rectify these violations before resuming operations.
