Skip to main content
Government's ‘laissez-faire’ attitude to pandemic is putting workers at risk, sick workers say
Labour demanded last night that the Tories put measures in place to protect retail workers, enforce social distancing, ration products and change opening hours in all major supermarkets
A shortage of toilet rolls on the shelves at a Sainsbury's store

A SUPERMARKET worker from Hertfordshire who has contracted coronavirus has put the blame squarely on the government’s failure to enforce proper protection for retail staff.

The worker — a rep for shopworkers’ union Usdaw, who preferred not to be named — told the Morning Star she had been off sick since waking up on Thursday with a dry cough and chest pains. 

Slamming ministers’ “laissez-faire” attitude, she pointed out that few measures had been put in place to ensure that workers are protected. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
A Unite picket line in Birmingham during the bin strike
Features / 16 July 2026
16 July 2026

MATT ALLEN salutes the workers and reps who push back against bosses, win for members and make the Unite union what it is

A health worker doing admin
Features / 17 June 2026
17 June 2026

The new Employment Rights Act is a step forward, but restoring collective bargaining and union power remains essential to tackling insecurity, outsourcing and low pay, says PAUL WHITEHOUSE