Footwear manufacturers urged to stay open
05/05/2009
One of the principal industrial bodies in the state of Guanajuato has urged employers in the industry to keep producing shoes, in spite of a call from the authorities for non-essential businesses to close their doors for five days in the face of the continuing H1N1 flu crisis in Mexico.
The local authorities in Guanajuato, Mexico's most important state for footwear production, have said that businesses not involved in supplying food and energy should follow national guidelines and close their doors until 5 May, an important holiday in Mexico.
In response, the footwear industry association of Guanajuato (CICEG) issued a statement saying that, since the government had threatened no penalties for businesses that remained open, employers should decide for themselves what to do. Many commentators in the manufacturing sector have said they believe it's important for Mexico to keep its production levels as high as possible.
CICEG said companies must be vigilant and act quickly if any worker showed symptoms of H1N1 flu, and should set up more flexible working arrangements to cater for childcare while schools are closed, including workstations in employees' homes if possible.
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