An online petition entitled ‘stop the abuses of meat plant workers’ has been launched in recent days.
The creator of the campaign said that the Covid-19 crisis has shown how “weak” protections are for all workers in Ireland.
“The scandal in the meat plants is just one blatant example. Failure to act now and give these workers greater protections and workplace rights will mean huge health risks for all workers and communities affected in the future.” they stressed.
At the time the petition was created, the creator said that more than 10% of meat plant workers have now tested positive for Covid-19, “endangering their own health and the health of the wider community”.
“Despite this, the bosses in meat factories continue to put private profits over public health.”
They have listed the following demands:
- The government bring in a German-style law to ban sub-contracting in the meat industry;
- The government introduces a mandatory sick pay scheme for workers;
- That migrant workers’ rights to live and work here are not tied to working with one particular employer or sector;
- That proper accommodation be made available to all workers;
- That the government implements regular unannounced visits to meat plants by the Health and Safety Authority.
- That any plant not adhering to proper social distancing and public health is closed for 1 month with staff on full pay.
