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Large numbers of workers have walked out at one of Northern Ireland\u2019s main poultry manufacturers, a union said.<\/p>\nLarge numbers of workers have walked out at one of Northern Ireland\u2019s main poultry manufacturers, a union said.<\/p>\n
Unite regional officer Sean McKeever said the mass departure at Moy Park in Portadown, Co Armagh, is due to concerns over coronavirus.<\/p>\n
Unite said it has attempted to secure commitments to ensure a minimum of two meters between workers, and other measures to enable infection control.<\/p>\n
Mr McKeever said: \u201cWe need to see immediate movement\u2026 to address the workers\u2019 legitimate fears over coronavirus transmission.\u201d<\/p>\n
Moy Park says it is Northern Ireland\u2019s largest private sector business. It is the region\u2019s major chicken producer.<\/p>\n
Food production is an essential service during the outbreak, the UK government has said.<\/p>\n
Official advice has changed rapidly over recent days as the virus has spread and companies large and small have had to react quickly.<\/p>\n
A smaller number of employees also walked off an ABP meat processing site in Lurgan, Co Armagh.<\/p>\n
Susan Fitzgerald, Unite regional coordinating officer, urged the government to act to protect workers.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cApproximately 80 employees at ABP Meats in Lurgan who are deemed essential refused work today over fears for their safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnite has been informed that the workers are demanding adequate social distancing of two meters be facilitated and enforced and other measures be adopted to keep workers as separated as possible, and deep-cleans are conducted on work stations where workers have self-isolated with coronavirus symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sinn F\u00e9in Assembly member John O\u2019Dowd said: \u201cWhere essential services need to remain open, the safety of workers and their families is paramount.<\/p>\n
\u201cOwners and management of those essential service companies who still have staff on production lines need to acknowledge the dangers of Covid-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey need to act responsibly by ensuring physical distance measures are in place and that steps are taken to protect these essential workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cStatutory bodies with responsibility for health and safety need to take action to make sure those businesses which remain open are not placing any of their workers or their families at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n