Workers have called for the closure of a Fife factory after a member of staff tested positive for covid-19.
Employees of engineering firm Bosch Rexroth say they are worried for their health and well-being amid reports a colleague at the Glenrothes site is seriously ill in hospital.
Bosses at the German-based company have confirmed an office worker is being treated for coronavirus but said it had taken a series of measures to protect its other staff.
They said they would continue to monitor the situation closely.
Concerned workers have contacted The Courier, saying they could not understand why the factory was still operating given Scottish Government guidelines that all non-essential businesses should close.
One employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I will be reconsidering my employment soon. I never expected this from a company with the Robert Bosch name.”
Another worker added: “All the workers are now greatly concerned for our well-being, yet the management still refuse to close.”
Glenrothes SNP MP Peter Grant said his office had been inundated with calls from members of the public concerned about working conditions at various companies across the constituency.
“My thoughts are first of all with the patient and with those nearest to him, for whom this will be an extremely worrying and distressing time,” he said.
“I also appreciate that this news will cause great concern among his work colleagues and I would ask that their employer be sensitive to these concerns.”
Mr Grant said the Scottish Government had issued clear guidelines that they expect all manufacturing employers to follow.
“While these guidelines do not have the force of law it is incumbent on every employer to look carefully at everything that goes on inside their premises and to call an immediate halt to anything that doesn’t play an essential role in supporting the key sectors of the economy identified as of critical importance at this time,” he said.
A spokesperson for Bosch Rexroth said the company was in direct contact with the family of the employee concerned, adding that he was last in the office on March 20.
“In line with our established procedures, we had already implemented a contact risk assessment process, including an evaluation of any deep cleaning…and a further appraisal of associates who may have been in close contact with the colleague in question,” they said.
“Bosch Rexroth continues to operate with a series of protective measures in place to ensure the necessary social distancing precautions in order to minimise risk for our associates.”
The company said practices at the Glenrothes plant were continually reviewed and added: “We are committed to the health, safety and well-being of our associates and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
