Government must build workers’ trust in testing and tracing system, says TUC

• All workers must have access to testing, with priority given to those in at-risk or shielding groups, says TUC 

• Staff must be given paid time-off to get tested at centres close to them 

• Employers must consult unions on data protection when introducing tracing technology. 

The TUC is today (Saturday) calling on government to take steps to build workers’ trust in testing and tracing for coronavirus.  

Testing and tracing is set to become a central part of government’s strategy for easing lockdown and getting people back to work. And some individual employers are also developing their own testing and tracing mechanisms.  

While the TUC recognises the public health case for such an approach, significant questions remain about the proposed roll-out, both in terms of equality of access and workers’ privacy.  

The union federation believes that without high levels of trust in the testing and tracing process people may choose not to participate, which would undermine the effectiveness of the approach. 

To build trust, the TUC believes that government and employers must work with unions to ensure that:  

• All workers have access to testing when they need it, with priority given to those in at-risk and shielding groups, or who care for individuals in those groups. Measures to ensure this should include paid time off to be tested and easily accessible testing sites. 

• Anyone who’s required to self-isolate gets either statutory or contractual sick pay, and that the rate of statutory sick pay (SSP) increases to the equivalent of the real living wage. 

• Rigorous data protection standards are upheld for both national and workplace tracking and tracing. Measures should include a requirement that unions be consulted when new technology is introduced to a workplace, and worker consent sought when tracing is used.   

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: 

“We want effective testing and tracing to be put in place as soon as possible. But to gain public trust it must be based on equal access and safeguard workers’ data.  

“The government needs to do more to ensure that everyone can access testing and self-isolate if necessary. That means accessible testing sites, paid time off for testing, and decent sick pay for anyone advised to stay at home.   

“And to build confidence in the process, employers must work with unions to guarantee that data will be protected, and not used to monitor or discipline workers. 

“Unions support a safe reopening of the economy. But the government must prioritise workers’ safety and win their trust.”