Teams of the General Labor Inspectorate from Sofia and Blagoevrgrad started inspections Saturday at construction sites here, Labor and Social Policy Minister Emilia Maslarova said.

Statements of suspension of work have been issued over gross violation of occupational health and safety standards. The construction sites abound in dangerous areas, pits, high-rise platforms without railings. The builders ignore to use proper work clothing and protection means.

Six of the 17 builders at one of the sites worked there without the necessary contracts of labor. Economic Police had to be called in at one of the sites since the inspectors were not allowed to enter. Chinese nationals were working at the site who ran away when they saw the inspectors. The police was able to find five of the fleeing workers. Their IDs were photocopied to see if they hold work permits.

Maslarova said that since the start of the year there have been 108 deaths at the workplace, half of which are at construction sites. In July alone two construction workers died in Bansko.