We must not drop our guard on workplace safety as we reopen, warns TUC

Commenting on today’s (Monday) easing of restrictions, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:   

“As we reopen the economy, we must not drop our guard on workplace safety. If workplaces aren’t Covid-secure, coronavirus cases could spiral out of control again.  

“Ministers must tell the Health and Safety Executive to crack down on bad bosses who play fast and loose with workers’ safety. It’s a national scandal that not a single employer has been prosecuted and fined for putting workers or the public at risk. 

“Vaccinations can't be a substitute for comprehensive health and safety measures to make workplaces safe.  

“And the government needs to wake up to the fact that a lack of decent sick pay undermines safe return to work. Ministers must raise statutory sick pay to the level of the real Living Wage, and make sure everyone can get it.”