Support for firms to become Covid-safe
FASHION and textile manufacturing firms are being offered advice to help them become Covid-secure.
A webinar has been organised by the Business Gateway Growth Hub – an initiative of Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership – in partnership with the city council.
More than two dozen businesses were expected to take part in the free event yesterday.
It focused on managing Covid-19 risks and implementing measures to remain compliant with legal requirements.
Advice was tailored specifically to the fashion and textiles industry, with a step-by-step guide outlined to make factories secure.
Experts such as Jason Arrowsmith, a former health and safety compliance manager with significant experience and knowledge of the textiles sector, were on hand with information.
Dwinder Virk, from arbitration service Acas, was expected to respond to questions on employment rights, and Altaf Ahmed, from Leicester City Council, to provide advice on additional business support and access to grants.
Shafique Hussein, director of textiles business Elite Labels, was to share his experiences and the measures he implemented when preparing for reopening, including to ensure the safety of the workforce and visitors.
Deputy mayor Councillor Adam Clarke said: “It’s vital we address compliance across a whole range of issues in the textiles industry – including the new challenges posed by coronavirus that have put this sector in the spotlight in Leicester so recently.
“These issues are difficult to address because so many different bodies are responsible for enforcement – and the city council has no powers in this sector.
“This is why we’re lobbying government to give us the powers to tackle this problem via a properlyfunded, single local enforcement body.
“Enforcement action is crucial, but so is education.
“Events like this allow us to share best practice from the many compliant and exemplar businesses, as well as building strong, supportive relationships between businesses and partner agencies so we can all tackle problems together and root out poor working conditions.”
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