Covid-19 cases ‘have put factory workforce at risk’
EMPLOYEE SPEAKS OUT, BUT COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS HOST OF SAFETY MEASURES IN PLACE
A CORONAVIRUS “outbreak” has left biscuit factory workers fearing for their health.
The employee of the Pladis factory, in South Wigston, said colleagues were now worried about going to work.
A spokesman for the company said it had experienced “a relatively small number of positive cases of Covid-19”, but that Public Health England had been contacted.
The factory employee, who did not want to be named, said: “Most workers have no option but to risk going into work. Also, the factory employs a lot of BAME workers, who are more at risk and many are from deprived areas.
“Shouldn’t the firm consider its workforce? It is putting its staff who are mainly women of ethnic backgrounds at risk.”
The employee believes at least five staff from one team at the Canal Street factory, which manufactures for McVities, tested positive for the virus last week, adding: “Workers are scared to take time off. Management are company motivated, the factory has remained open throughout lockdown and they just keep going.
“The screens put in place to keep workers apart are actually a space constraint which could lead to injuries when trying to work at the continuous fast pace.”
The employee, who is part of the factory’s 250-strong workforce, was prompted to contact the Leicester Mercury after reading about the local spike in cases, revealed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock at last Thursday’s daily briefing.
The firm’s spokesman said safety measures were in place and self-isolating staff received full pay.
He added: “In addition to engaging with our local Public Health England representatives, we have implemented our own test and trace procedure if or when one of our colleagues test positive.
“We continue to tell our people to stay at home if they display any symptoms and we continue to pay full pay for those self-isolating, including those awaiting test results.
“Over the last few months we’ve followed all the official advice, stepped up our cleaning regime throughout our site and put in place comprehensive social distancing measures.
“We are being open and transparent with our colleagues if and when a colleague reports a confirmed case of Covid-19.
“We have been in regular contact with the local health protection team and we are following all official guidelines.”
Safety measures at the site include barriers, staggering start times, suspending clocking in and out to avoid congestion and an increase in hand sanitising stations.
The company spokesman added: “Face coverings have been made available to all employees and visitors and we have also opened four pop-up canteens to ensure social distancing.
“The site is closed at weekends, enabling a deep clean of the site and all colleagues and visitors are instructed not to enter the site if they have any symptoms. Colleagues who are self-isolating receive full pay to ensure they feel no pressure to be at the site while unwell.”