By George Day • Published: 25 Mar 2020 • 15:49
One thousand workers at a poultry factory in Northern Ireland staged a walk-out after claiming they are being put at risk of contracting Covid-19 because their bosses aren’t upholding social distancing measures.
Union chiefs said employees at Moy Park in Portadown, County Armagh staged the 15 minute walk-out today because they couldn’t keep a six feet distance from one other, and said workers feel like ‘second class citizens’ by being exposed to greater risk of catching Covid-19.
A Unite spokesperson said workers’ legitimate fears over coronavirus transmission need to be addressed immediately.
Moy Park is one of the biggest employers in Nothern Ireland and is a major chicken producer in the region.
A similar demonstration was staged by 80 workers at ABP Meats in nearby Lurgan, also concerned about social distancing-.
There have been 172 confirmed cases of coronavirus confirmed in Northern Ireland to date.
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