Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of Labor Nidal Bataineh on Sunday decided to reopen the Zmalia textile factory in North Shouneh region, Jordan Valley, based on recommendations of a tripartite committee formed to verify the readiness of the factory to operate.

In a statement, the ministry said the committee, forged from the ministries of Labor and Health and the Civil Defense Directorate, endorsed that the factory complies with occupational safety and health standards and according to the requirements of all laws, regulations and instructions in force.

Last Thursday, the minister decided to close the factory after 130 female workers were poisoned, as they inhaled an insecticide sprayed to sterilize the factory. In another ensuing incident, 39 workers also suffered suffocation on Wednesday, after the factory management decided to resume operations.

"The committee stated that the two incidents had been attributed to using insecticide without taking public safety measures, but no longer threaten public health as chemical effects end within 48 hours of the spraying process," the statement added.