The GMB union has called for the government to convene an urgent meeting with the big six retailers and the Food and Drink Federation after a major Tesco, Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer supplier admitted social distancing was impossible in its factory.
The letter, sent to the Environment Secretary, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, M&S, Lidl and Aldi, comes after a Bakkavor manager was secretly filmed admitting social distancing was not possible and threatening to sack staff who stayed at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The union also identified numerous employers refusing to pay essential workers full pay if they are absent due to Covid-19, increasing the likelihood that workers who face losing money will come into work and risk spreading the virus.
It called for an urgent summit of the retailers, the Food and Drink Federation and Government to agree and implement minimum industry standards to reflect to the essential nature of the work.
Eamon O’Hearn, GMB National Officer, said: “Employers cannot put profit and production over the safety of essential workers.
“Now is the time for the industry to step up to the plate and do everything possible to reduce the risk of the virus impacting on essential workers in our food supply chain.”
