Dear Editor,
Alongside the heroic frontline workers in our NHS, emergency and care services, we should also praise the efforts of the postal workers, couriers, delivery drivers and retail and stockroom workers. They are working incredibly hard and often placing themselves at risk to ensure that we have all the essentials we need during lockdown.
We have sadly heard outrageous reports of some companies failing to enforce social distancing measures in their own workplaces, as well as falling short on providing staff with the protection they need.
Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, trade unions have continued to play a vital role in holding employers to account and improving conditions for workers in all sectors and industries. City Hall has also now teamed up with Our Frontline UK to provide mental health and bereavement support to key and essential workers.
However, there is clearly room for the Government to play its part in more strongly enforcing corporate responsibility.
Last week, we marked International Workers’ Memorial Day with a minute’s silence to commemorate those who have tragically died whilst doing their job during the pandemic.
The government and we, the British people, must not forget what frontline workers have done for us when this crisis is over. We must ensure they are paid fairly and have proper employment protections. It’s the very least we can do.
Yours,
Unmesh Desi AM
London Assembly Member for City & East London
Notes to editors
- Unmesh Desai AM is the London Assembly Member for City and East (covering Barking and Dagenham, Newham, Tower Hamlets and the City of London).