'A terrible way to go for ?9 an hour': fear at meat plant after three coronavirus deaths

Family of worker at a South Yorkshire food processor with multiple Covid-19 cases and three deaths have criticised treatment of staffCoronavirus - latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe South Yorkshire meat processing plant where three workers have died from coronavirus has been criticised for failing to adequately protect workers.Three workers at a Cranswick food processing facility in Wombwell, Barnsley, which supplies UK supermarkets, are confirmed to have died after testing positive for coronavirus. The UK-based company, which has annual revenue approaching ?1.5bn, said there had been nine confirmed cases at the Wombwell plant, with one worker currently in hospital. The most recent confirmed case was on 11 May.Speaking on condition of anonymity, the family of a worker at the plant said staff had initially been told that social distancing in some parts of the factory was not possible, that they couldn't wear face masks "because they would be taking them away from the NHS", and that any staff off sick only got statutory sick pay. "If you don't feel well and know if you don't go to work you're only going to get the statutory sick pay [?95.85 a week] and are not going to be able to pay the bills, what are you going to do? I am scared he could bring it home to us and our kids. They [plant workers] have not been happy, but they're all scared to say anything because of losing their jobs. It's a shit way to go for ?9 an hour [worker is paid ?9.40 an hour]." Meat plants across the world are grappling with serious coronavirus outbreaks. The US has been hardest hit, with confirmed cases at more than 200 meat and food processing plants and the death of at least 66 workers. There have also been clusters of cases at meat plants in France, Germany and Ireland, where more than 500 workers have tested positive. Related: US coronavirus hotspots linked to meat processing plants Continue reading...