Meat processing plants still pose a danger

Covid19

A Workers’ Party representative has reacted to a report from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) highlighting issues in meat processing plants. The report concerningly highlights “staff working face to face, ill-fitted specialist masks and tightly spaced locker rooms”. David Gardiner, Workers’ Party representative in Palmerstown-Fonthill and Dublin Mid-West said: “Although the report redacts the names of the factories inspected or the dates the inspections took place, it notes that one factory in particular had multiple issues where face coverings were not used, which was particularly concerning in areas where social distancing was not possible. Across the board it seems that workers were supplied with ill-fitting masks and as such wearing them incorrectly.”


“Workers in this industry are subjected to low pay, poor terms and conditions and non- existent health and safety regulations. The Workers’ Party calls on the government to implement without delay the key recommendations in the report, including mandatory sick pay for all workers and the introduction of COVID-19 compliance officers. ” “Workers in this industry must have protection, they are entitled to decent pay, terms and conditions and a safe environment to work in. This would benefit not only these workers but society as a whole as we work to combat COVID-19. “Workers’ lives are not dispensable in the interests of profit and this message must be made clear to those running the factories.”

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Sarah Brooks

Sarah has worked in marketing and content creation for many years. In her role at Newsgroup, she is the online editor of www.newsgroup.ie with a particular interest in local news and events. Sarah also works closely with our editorial team on our printed editions in Tallaght, Lucan, Clondalkin and Rathcoole/Saggart. If you have a story and would like to make contact please email Sarah at info@newsgroup.ie.

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