1,000 signatures reached
To: Scott Morrison
Hospitality workers demand protection from COVID-19
Irresponsible hospitality bosses are taking a “let it rip” approach to Covid inside venues, failing to alert staff about exposures and outbreaks inside venues, and calling workers in to work when they are trying to isolate and stop the spread.
Hospo workers’ lives are being put at risk, all in the name of maximising profits.
At the same time, Prime Minister Scott Morrison is abandoning workers by refusing to follow the US and UK and provide free rapid antigen tests (RATs) to everyone who needs them, and has simultaneously cut back financial support to workers who need to test and isolate.
Hospo Voice members and supporters demand:
- No person should be compelled to work after contracting COVID-19 or being identified as a close contact.
- Any worker who is sick with COVID-19 or is testing and isolating has access to paid employer leave or proper government income support.
- Rapid Antigen Tests to be provided free to everyone in the community who needs them.
Why is this important?
A COVID-19 outbreak at Melbourne’s historic Mitre Tavern involving nine staff occurred after an infected customer had visited the pub. Workers allege that management failed to inform them they may have been exposed to the virus until after staff members began testing positive to COVID-19.
At a Melbourne cafe with close to 100 staff, workers say the venue’s Christmas party on Monday 20 December may have acted as a super-spreader event. On Tuesday 21 December workers told the union their colleagues began testing positive and informed venue management. Workers then said the venue waited until Thursday 23 December to inform all staff that they may have been exposed, and advised them to get rapid tests and isolate if positive. The venue continued operating until Christmas Eve before closing for two weeks. Staff estimate at least 50 workers became infected across the days leading up to Christmas.
Meanwhile in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, a hospitality worker at a bar/restaurant has reported being called in to work while isolating and awaiting the results of a PCR test. Management also failed to tell staff at the venue when their coworkers had become infected. Workers estimate that approximately 40% of venue staff ultimately became infected with COVID-19.