THE mayor of Leicester was reportedly warned that clothing factories in the city were not socially distancing.
Cops are investigating fast fashion factories in Leicester amid fears they caused the city’s second Covid-19 lockdown.
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Leicester's Labour mayor Sir Peter Soulsby reportedly received an email from Conservative politicians warning him about the "dangerous" conditions in clothing factories.
The warning came three months ago, before a spike in coronavirus cases forced the city into a second lockdown.
"We have had a number of people contacting us in fear that factory owners are flouting the law by appearing closed but with employees still working behind shuttered premises," the email read, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
"This is not only dangerous to the workers in the factories but also to the families and wider communities at large."
Baroness Verma, a Conservative peer in the House of Lords, added that it was an "open secret" that factories in the city were not following the rules.
"The concerns were about the conditions in which some of them were operating," she said.
Leicester’s deputy mayor Adam Clarke said: "We are told that Public Health England have found no evidence to suggest that the rise in cases in the city is linked to the textile industry.
"Significant community testing is now under way in Leicester, and workplaces and factory settings will be an important part of this in helping us to track and prevent the further transmission of the virus.
"Complaints about textiles factories operating during the lockdown in April were referred to the Health and Safety Executive for investigation. Last week we were made aware of other allegations.
"These factories were visited by the HSE and the police last week. Verbal advice was given, but no notices were served and none of the factories were required to close."
It was an open secret
Baroness Verma on Leicester factories allegedly breaking social-distancing rules
Police and the Health and the Safety Executive visited ten factories in Leicester after claims £3-an-hour staff were working very close together.
Public health officials have warned young men in the industry were significant spreaders of Covid-19.
Many fashion retailers have part of their supply chains based in the city.
One Bangladeshi, who said she worked for a clothing firm, said: “Our shutters are down but we are still working.
“There are seven of us all in close proximity. It’s really hot and I am scared.”
Tory MP Andrew Bridgen reckons there could be 10,000 “slaves” working in Leicester.
He said: “Covid-19 has brought into focus what’s been going on.
"It’ll take a Tory government to end the despicable work practices and human exploitation in Leicester.”
The HSE is investigating three textile firms, taking enforcement action at one.
The National Crime Agency confirmed it had visited clothes factories in the city.
Police have not made any arrests but plan further visits.
They urged firms to follow employment law and protect health and safety of staff.
After a report, online retailer Boohoo has vowed to probe claims staff in another supply chain were made to work while suffering from Covid-19.
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Matt Hancock said the government has “significant concerns” about clothing factories in the city.
The Health Secretary is worried about “employment practices” after seeing outbreaks in both clothing and food factories.
What are Leicester's new coronavirus lockdown laws?
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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMibWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZXN1bi5jby51ay9uZXdzLzEyMDM4MzQ1L2xlaWNlc3Rlci1tYXlvci13YXJuZWQtY2xvdGhpbmctZmFjdG9yaWVzLXNlY29uZC1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1sb2NrZG93bi_SAXFodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVzdW4uY28udWsvbmV3cy8xMjAzODM0NS9sZWljZXN0ZXItbWF5b3Itd2FybmVkLWNsb3RoaW5nLWZhY3Rvcmllcy1zZWNvbmQtY29yb25hdmlydXMtbG9ja2Rvd24vYW1wLw?oc=5
2020-07-05 21:01:15Z
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