The Chinese brick-making firm, Mariental Bricks, has been temporarily shut down due to alleged health and safety violations. The company is said to employ between 100 and 300 people at the brick-making facility. The town’s Chief Executive Officer confirmed the closure to Nampa on Saturday, stating that authorities were concerned about the lack of safety gear, toilets and running water for workers. Paul Nghiwilepo stated that workers are exposed to harsh chemicals and excessive dust every day, without being provided with uniforms, helmets, dust masks or safety glasses. Production was suspended by the municipality’s health inspector, Ester Kahiha, Mariental Constituency Councillor Hafeni Haikali and officers from the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation. Haikali said the violations on the part of the Chinese company were long-running. The production site on the outskirts of Mariental was abandoned when Nampa visited it on Friday afternoon, except for a few workers who were unsure of the future of the company. A Chinese worker insisted that all workers were provided with protective masks during production. A Namibian worker welcomed the closure.