Under bus by lack of aid’
Boozers in Wetherspoon pub before lockdown
Frasers, the parent company of Sports Direct, did not respond to a request for comment. A message sent to staff and seen by the Mirror said: “We would never do anything that puts colleagues at risk.”
The TUC union’s Frances O’Grady said: “Tim Martin and Mike Ashley are treating people like disposable the outbreak on top of a raft of other measures. So far all the self-employed can do is to claim benefits.
Unions representing freelancers and self-employed people say the five million people in that category need financial support immediately.
The Government is worried any package could help rich freelancers
labour.” Rebecca Long-Bailey, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, said: “No one should be asked to work if they are not providing an essential function.”
Coffee chain Caffe Nero has been criticised for offering staff a 20% pay perk to work. Founder Gerry Ford made the offer before the lockdown. still earning a good wage. Yesterday the Chancellor said they will have to wait for the Government to come up with a “deliverable and fair” package.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay promised he was “urgently” trying to address the issue. He told them: “We have not forgotten you, help is coming.”
Percantage of wages covered by Government for those who can’t work
One worker told the Mirror it was trying to “guilt” staff into coming in. The firm said: “We made working in stores voluntary.”
The GMB Union claimed Amazon staff are working in packed warehouses, without hand sanitiser or protective gear. GMB’s Mick Rix said: “Workers are petrified of catching Covid-19.” Amazon denied it, insisting: “The health of our people is our top priority.”
But many firms are trying to pay staff for as long as they can. Shoemaker Clarks has shut all its stores but says shop workers “will continue to receive pay and benefits”.
Shoe repairers Timpson shut 2,150 shop with staff on full pay. Supermarket Aldi said store and distribution depot staff will get a 10% bonus. Pub giant Fuller’s cancelled rents for around 200 of its tenants.