, Labour’s Shadow
Employment Rights Secretary, has written to
the Prime Minister demanding protection from all workers,
highlighting that “bad employment” worsens the risk of
coronavirus spreading.
Maskell has received numerous examples of those working in
non-essential industries such as in warehouses, factories, call
centres and construction sites. Many are continuing to work due
to concerns over the reach and timeliness of financial packages.
Workers have reported unsafe working environments including no
appropriate PPE, little or no hygiene facilities, and no social
distances practices. Often it appears that employers are
operating in breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act
1974.
In addition, many essential workers in public facing roles
- such as NHS staff, community pharmacists, and food retail staff
- are continuing to work without the necessary PPE.
The Shadow Employment Rights Secretary has highlighted in
her letter the risks of coronavirus infection not only among
workers but among commuters on crowded public transport and the
risks of workers bringing the infection back to their homes and
communities.
Labour calls for “strict and enforceable closure” of
non-essential workplaces until businesses can resume with safe
working practices.
Ends
Notes to Editors
· Rachael
Maskell has written in the Sunday Mirror of the examples of
workers being forced to continue in unsafe work
environments https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/rachel-maskelllowest-paid-experience-worst-21772751
· has raised concerns of poor
working practices at an NHS 111 call centre in
Plymouth https://labour.org.uk/press/urgent-concerns-about-poor-working-practices-at-plymouth-nhs-111-call-centre-pollard/
