Ads
Published
Jul 9, 2020
Reading time
2 minutes
Download
Download the article
Print
Text size

JD Sports sets up Covid-19 testing lab at Rochdale warehouse

Published
Jul 9, 2020

JD Sports has begun testing employees for Covid-19 at its Rochdale warehouse after seeing a “small number” of positive cases at its facilities.



It is understood that nearly 500 people were tested at the warehouse through a mobile testing lab at the weekend.

The tests are being coordinated in collaboration with the NHS and Rochdale borough council and are available to any staff members who request them over the next two weeks.

A JD Sports spokesperson said: “Acknowledging our responsibilities as one of the largest employers in the area, we are pleased to be working with the NHS and the local council to provide a mobile NHS testing facility on site, with voluntary tests available for any colleagues who are looking for peace of mind.

“This testing facility has been made available as part of the council’s ongoing community initiatives in the Rochdale area, and will be available to colleagues on a number of days over the next two weeks. The health and safety of our colleagues is always our highest priority and we will continue to take all measures to protect their wellbeing.”

JD Sports is reacting quickly to the challenge of ensuring the health of its workers after a surge in coronavirus cases in some of Leicester’s textile factories pushed the city into a second lockdown.

The incident has dragged controversial modern slavery claims back into the spotlight, with Boohoo finding itself at the centre of these concerns. According to media reports, workers at the Leicester factories making clothes destined for the retail group were forced to work despite testing positive, with some earning as little as £3.50 an hour. The accusations prompted Next and Asos to drop Boohoo’s clothing from their websites.

In light of what happened in Leicester, a trade union has called for JD Sports to close its Rochdale warehouse. According to Usdaw, “hundreds of staff have expressed fears that the warehouse is a breeding ground for Covid-19". However, Rochdale’s public protection team said it has made several unannounced inspections at the warehouse, and it found the measures to be “comprehensive and fully in line with government guidelines".

Copyright © 2024 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.