Abattoir staff allegedly told to work or get the chop
Meatworks are among businesses being probed over accusations they pressured workers to shun COVID-19 tests and turn up to the job after positive cases had been confirmed. Alarm is now growing over the conduct of major abattoirs which are believed to have sparked some of the state’s biggest outbreaks.
Victoria
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Abattoirs are being investigated over claims they pressured workers not to undergo COVID-19 tests because it would prevent them from taking up shifts, and demanding staff turn up after positive cases had been confirmed or risk losing their jobs.
The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal meatworks are among multiple businesses being probed over accusations they put pressure on casual workers to shun COVID-19 safety rules.
With the sector already responsible for the greatest number of workplace cases, authorities are increasingly concerned at dangerous practices at several Victorian abattoirs.
The Sunday Herald Sun understands Premier Daniel Andrews and his COVID cabinet have been briefed on concerns over the conduct of major abattoirs, which are believed to have fuelled some of the state’s largest coronavirus outbreaks.
A WorkSafe spokesman on Saturday confirmed the authority was making inquiries into the coronavirus outbreak at Bertocchi Smallgoods, which now stands at 203 cases.
WorkSafe has the power to act if employers do not meet safety obligations, including how they manage the risk of coronavirus, but cannot enforce Public Health Directions.
A Bertocchi worker has told the Sunday Herald Sun the largely Vietnamese casual workforce were told they had to attend a July 17 shift despite two colleagues testing positive for coronavirus the previous day.
It is understood the concerned family of one worker called Bertocchi’s external HR consultants during that morning’s shift to complain about the requirement to work, rather than being tested. It is believed the consultants immediately contacted Bertocchi and ordered them to send workers home and ask them to undergo COVID-19 tests.
Department of Health data on Friday revealed there have now been 14 coronavirus outbreaks in Victorian abattoirs, leading to 551 cases, since June 1.
Bertocchi was approached for comment.
In response to concerns about the potential spread of the coronavirus, a Department of Health spokeswoman said the chief health officer last week ramped up obligations on employers, who must now ensure any worker with symptoms is advised to stay home, get tested and self-quarantine.
“We expect all employers to follow this, without exception,” she said.
“It is never acceptable for an employer to discourage a worker from being tested for COVID-19.”
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton on Saturday said some employers introduced coronavirus safety measures too late, leading to “dozens and dozens” of workers having to be quarantined rather than single cases.
“The lessons have been learnt over the last few weeks, there is no question,” Prof Sutton said.
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Originally published as Abattoir staff allegedly told to work or get the chop