The prolonged power outage in Piura triggered a significant occupational health crisis at Konecta’s call center, leading to over 20 workers fainting due to extreme heat. Regulatory authorities have intervened, suspending operations to investigate workplace safety compliance, underscoring challenges in managing critical infrastructure resilience amid regional energy failures.
Konecta’s facility at Plaza del Sol in Piura experienced a severe labor incident after a more than 36-hour power outage caused by a critical failure at the main transformer of the Piura Centro substation operated by Enosa. The blackout disabled the building’s air conditioning system in an enclosed workspace hosting over 500 employees. Videos surfaced showing dozens of young workers suffering dizziness and fainting episodes attributed to heatstroke. Reports indicate the company prioritized generator power for computer equipment over ventilation systems, exacerbating the hazardous conditions. This decision drew swift action from local authorities, including the Second Prosecutor’s Office for Crime Prevention and Piura’s municipal enforcement team, who temporarily closed the site to assess alleged breaches in occupational health protocols. Testimonies from employees stated that they were compelled to continue working despite extreme environmental stress.
The Defensoría del Pueblo is monitoring the investigations while affected workers received medical attention and insurance coverage. Konecta publicly attributed the crisis to the external electrical supply failure that overwhelmed contingency measures designed to mitigate heat exposure. The company has paused on-site operations indefinitely and committed to cooperate fully with officials, prioritizing employee recovery via its Wellbeing department.
The regional infrastructure disruption not only impacted commercial activity but also impaired potable water pumping and caused significant losses in perishable goods across Piura. The Comptroller and energy regulator Osinergmin are overseeing the installation of a provisional transformer to expedite power restoration. This event highlights vulnerabilities in Piura’s critical infrastructure systems and raises concerns regarding corporate crisis management in environments subject to extreme climate conditions and infrastructure deficiencies.
