Belgian Supermarket Under Investigation After Employee’s COVID-19 Death

Mohamed died on April 2 due to his supervisor’s refusal to let him wear masks and gloves, which were recommended to prevent coronavirus. According to his supervisor, this risked "scaring the customers." Dismayed, the young man’s family had filed a complaint with the Brussels public prosecutor’s office against the store.

The investigation, conducted in Brussels, is making progress. In total, about fifteen hearings have already taken place and the justice system is taking the matter very seriously, reports La Dernière Heure. The testimonies reveal that employees were prohibited from wearing masks and gloves in other Colruyt stores last spring. After Mohamed’s death, the father of two children, the management imposed the wearing of masks on employees.

The victim’s loved ones are still in shock. "We want their responsibility to be recognized. My brother-in-law died. He was always very careful. He only made the home-work trip and protected himself constantly. Refusing him the right to wear a mask in his workplace is simply unacceptable and unimaginable given the global crisis we are currently going through. I often hear that other employees have problems with health rules, this is not normal. Workers must be able to be protected," concludes Hatim Doghmi.