SIPTU has raised concerns about meat processing companies not releasing information on the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases at meat plants.
SIPTU has raised concerns about meat processing companies not releasing information on the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases at meat plants.
The union was commenting after one of the country’s largest meat processor, said it would not “publish updates” or “give commentary on test results at specific plants”.
Dawn Meats issued a statement in response to queries about the number of cases at some of its facilities and in relation to pictures published in local media of meat workers on a bus, reportedly being transported to a meat processing facility.
The company did not specifically address the queries made by RTÉ News in the statement issued.
However, the company has insisted that their staffs are being paid if they are advised to self-isolate as a result of a suspected case of Covid-19.
Greg Ennis of SIPTU welcomed the confirmation that workers will be paid by Dawn if self-isolating, but he said that needs to be the standard across the industry.
Mr Ennis said he had concerns about what he termed “restrictive information”.
He also said the reluctance by Dawn Meats to comment on the number of cases was “not in the public interest”.
Mr Ennis questioned why this was the case and said he urged the industry to review such an approach.