Boohoo condemned for selling 'useless' face masks while staff are left without adequate PPE

Usdaw continues to claim 'terrified' staff at the Burnley firm are being put at risk because of inadequate personal protection equipment. while accusing the firm of failing to implement social distancing practices.

The union said news that the retailer is now marketing fashion face masks was 'downright scandalous' and condemned bosses for looking to make profit out of a crisis.

However, the fashion giant has hit back at the claims saying extensive social distancing and hygiene measures were in place at their Widdow Hill warehouse, and they were working with suppliers to produce thousands of medical scrubs, gowns and masks for local NHS Trusts.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “We have been inundated with serious concerns from our members in the Burnley warehouse about their health and safety during the coronavirus outbreak.

"They are terrified they may become infected with coronavirus and put their loved ones at risk. News that the company is marketing fashion face masks, that experts say are absolutely no use as PPE, is a real slap in the face for our members.

“Selling fashion clothing is not essential in a period of national emergency, but selling items that look like essential equipment is downright scandalous.

"We share the disgust that healthcare staff have expressed in the media. At a time when they are desperate for PPE, along with many public facing staff delivering essential services, Boohoo should hang their heads in shame for this despicable stunt.

“Many other clothes manufacturers have turned away from their usual production and switched to making proper PPE items to help our heroes on the frontline of tackling the coronavirus emergency.

"Boohoo is looking to make a quick profit out of a crisis, when they should be putting the national interest first by helping their staff to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.

“We again call on the Government to review their advice to online non-essential retailers. Problems like this occur because contradictory Government advice encourages online retailers to carry on regardless, while telling non-essential workers to stay at home.

“Usdaw’s North West Divisional Officer Mike Aylward has written to Boohoo several times calling for them to close the warehouse for the safety of their employees and their families. To do the right thing by furloughing workers, under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and to top up the 80% grant so that staff continue to receive their full wages as normal.

"Following this disgraceful development, I too am writing to the company and the Government demanding urgent action.”

A spokesman for Boohoo said: "Our distribution centre in Burnley has extensive social distancing and hygiene measures in place to protect the health and well-being of our teams.

"We are continually reviewing these measures to see if there is more that we can do and we are actively encouraging our teams to provide feedback to ensure we continue to provide a safe work environment. We will take immediate action to improve any areas of opportunity that they highlight.

"The concerns referred to by Usdaw bear no resemblance to conversations we are having every day with our teams. The measures we are taking have been reviewed by the local Environmental Health Officer and the site has been visited by local elected officials.

"Government guidance continues to permit and actually is encouraging online retailers to continue to trade and whilst we are confident in the measures that we have in place to protect our teams we will continue to operate.

"We recognise the need for PPE which is why we are working with our suppliers to produce thousands of medical scrubs, gowns and masks that we will be donating to local NHS Trusts in addition to the thousands of other items we have gifted.”