Minister urges firms to ‘do right thing’ by staff
Concerns raised at Downing Street over warehouse
DOMINIC Raab has urged businesses to “do the right thing” after concerns were raised about the safety of workers at JD sports warehouse during a Downing Street press conference.
Employees who work for the distribution centre in Rochdale have repeatedly claimed it is “impossible” to maintain social distancing rules inside the warehouse.
Public Protection Inspectors from Rochdale Council say they are “satisfied that JD Sports have implemented a number of measures and precautions” but staff say they continue to feel unsafe.
During Thursday’s press conference, ITV asked the Foreign Secretary to respond to allegations made by staff - including of blind worker, Joe Gilchrist, who told the broadcaster he has been forced to come to work or take unpaid leave.
Other workers have said they are terrified of passing coronavirus on to vulnerable relatives, after bosses refused to shut the warehouse, or furlough them.
Referring to claims made by Mr Gilchrist, Dominic Raab said: “I don’t know all the details but he sounds like a very vulnerable individual. We have provided support to employers as we know what kind of pressure they are under and we want businesses to do the right thing.”
Joe Gilchrist has been employed at the Kingsway warehouse for almost 24 years. He is registered blind and has asthma and wrote to his bosses requesting to be furloughed under the
Government scheme.
Mr Gilchrist told ITV that JD refused his request in writing, saying he should continue to come to work, take unpaid leave or use up his holiday entitlement.
JD Warehouse said they are “not aware that this colleague qualifies for shielding or furloughing under current Government guidelines.”
A spokesperson added: “Any colleagues who qualify for ‘shielding’ under current Government guidelines, or who provide confirmation that they live with family members who qualify for ‘shielding,’ will have their furloughing requests accepted.”
But other workers have said this is not the case.
One man who works at the warehouse, says he has been forced to take his annual holiday entitlement or unpaid leave, if he cannot come into work.
His wife suffers from chronic kidney disease and has asthma, and has been told by the government to shield for 12 weeks. The couple have two adult children with Asperger’s, Autism and asthma.
“My main concern is that my husband could catch it from anyone there, it’s like a breeding ground for coronavirus,” his wife told the Observer.
“My husband is using all his holidays at the moment but that can’t go on forever.
“We can’t afford for him to go unpaid - Universal Credit wouldn’t even cover our rent.”
“I think they should be closing. To me it just feels like they care more about the money than they do people’s lives.”
A spokesperson for JD warehouse said: “Our priority remains the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and customers during this difficult time.
“JD Sports continues to observe the latest Government guidelines for businesses, with the current advice stating that “online retail is still open and encouraged and postal and delivery service will run as normal.”
“We have taken the necessary steps to ensure that the correct safeguards are in place.
“We have dramatically reduced the number of colleagues on site by more than 40 per cent. We have also increased hygiene and cleaning processes, and have implemented social distancing measures in our distribution centres, in order to minimise any transfer risk at our facilities.
“Our business has been regularly inspected by Rochdale Borough Council over recent weeks, via a series of unannounced visits from members of its Environmental Health Department, who confirmed in a letter on April 7, that: “We are satisfied that JD Sports have implemented a number of measures and precautions (including physical, operational and increased PPE) and are compliant with their responsibilities under the restrictions regulations and social distancing responsibilities...In light of the Council’s further positive conclusion, we will continue with our operations in line with the latest government advice. We remain in dialogue with all parties and we are continually monitoring the situation.”