UNI Global Union has produced guidelines designed to protect workers in food retail from exposure to Covid-19.
The recommendations have been drawn up after collecting best practices from affiliated UNI Commerce unions around the world. They are designed to be implemented for all supermarket workers, despite the diverse conditions in different regions.
UNI is encouraging its commerce affiliates to use the guidelines in their negotiations with employers to ensure that the food retail workers are provided with the protection and rights they deserve.
Christy Hoffman, UNI General Secretary, said:
“I have been alarmed and deeply saddened to see the rising number of grocery store workers who have become infected with COVID-19 while bravely serving the public, despite the risk to their own health and the health of their families. Far too many have already passed away. It doesn’t have to be this way. Supermarket workers and customers must be provided with the very highest levels of protection – as described in these guidelines.”
“These measures will not only provide better safety for workers but also help to keep supermarkets safe for everyone in the face of COVID-19,” says Mathias Bolton, Head of UNI Commerce. “Healthy workers and safe stores are of paramount importance given that supermarkets are the most commonly visited places during this pandemic. Without proper safety and protection at stores, the risk of contagion increases. That’s whywe say: protect workers, protect the public.”
UNI has launched a Declaration committing employers to work with UNI and its affiliated unions to share and implement the very highest hygiene and safety standards in stores across their operations. It has already been signed by multinational retailers Carrefour, Auchan and el Corte Inglés.
Download the PDF and visual images for the guidelines. (Available in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish.)
