'Non essential' businesses are defying coronavirus orders and staying open in Milton Keynes, claim workers

The MK Citizen has received a string of complaints over the past week from workers who feel their health is being put at risk because their employer demands they continue to go to work each day.

These include a publishing company, a car spraying firm, warehouses and car parts companies.

Other workers complain they are being forced to work too close together and not issued with hand sanitiser, masks or gloves.

Boris Johnson has ordered the closure of “non-essential” shops to limit the spread of the disease, but unions and business groups are now asking for more clarification on what is considered essential.

The head of the Confederation of British Industry, Carolyn Fairbairn, said an interview with The Guardian that much greater clarity was needed as “companies did not know whether to stay open or close”.

One of the most high-profile examples was Sports Direct, where owner Mike Ashley’s intended to remain open but was forced to backtrack after a public outcry.

This week the government introduced powers to issue penalties, ranging from fixed penalty notices to fines of up to £5,000, to business owners who do not comply with rules designed to protect the public.

The new enforcement procedure include the ability to force businesses to shut .

Meanwhile a union has called for one of MK's biggest employers to "radically revise" the way staff are expected to work during the coronavirus pandemic.

GMB have criticised XPO Logistics,which runs LVMH at Kingston, which processes orders for retailers of cosmetics, and a warehouse in Marston Gate which deals with Adidas sportswear and shoes.

The union believes these two warehouses, which employ around 150 staff between them, should be closed if they cannot comply with social distancing rules.

GMB regional officer Richard Owen said:" Although some measures of social distancing have been introduced in communal areas, some workers are being forced to work in close proximity to each other within the restrictive confines of the picking areas. This clearly runs counter to the government’s strictures around social distancing."

He added: "Yesterday I wrote to the company, expressing dismay at the company’s continuing commitment to keeping the warehouses running while not complying with the social distancing requirements.

"Of course, I understand the company has a commitment to making money, but surely there has to come a point when common sense, and an appreciation of the bigger picture, i.e, public health has to be everyone’s priority.

"We rightly frown at people congregating in parks and indeed, up mountains, and some are willing to countenance companies risking lives, (potentially many lives) by insisting that workers continue to move themselves, and the virus, around so that we can continue to distribute cosmetics and training shoes."

Mr Gates said the nation’s supermarket chains have introduced radical changes to the way people use their stores to comply with the social distancing requirements and the public have responded appropriately.

"The same thing has to happen in the warehouses too. This will clearly slow down the operation, like it has the supermarkets, but has to be done if it is possible. If not the only option is to close during this emergency.

"So unless these operations can be made to effectively comply with social distancing recommendations - XPO needs to get their heads out from wherever they have them at the moment, and let our members stay at home, and protect themselves and the rest of society from this appalling threat.

"The attitude of ‘We’ll keep going until we’re ordered not to’ is completely irresponsible, and puts everyone at risk."

GMB believes that the workers should be furloughed. XPO could then receive a tax-payer funded subsidy of 80 per cent of salaries and XPO should make up the remaining 20 per cent.

"History will not look kindly on individuals or organisations which put their own selfish interests ahead of their fellow citizens," said Mr Gates.