SHOPWORKERS in Warwickshire have told how they are subjected to violence, threats and abuse, as a trade union renews its call for a new law to protect them.
Retail trade union Usdaw has launched a Freedom from Fear campaign, revealing that 92 per cent of shopworkers have experienced verbal abuse, 70 per cent have been threatened by a customer, and 14 per cent were assaulted in the past 12 months.
Responding to Usdaw’s annual survey, one worker in Warwickshire said they are regularly subject to “verbal abuse and physical abuse, on one occasion had fruit thrown at me.”
Another said they are regularly sworn at by customers, “usually when having to wait in queues when busy or if I have to clean the till for Covid.”
One in five victims have never reported an incident to their employer.
Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis said: “It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from West Midlands shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive. Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by shopworkers and demonstrate the need for a ‘protection of shopworkers’ law.
“It has been a terrible year for our members, with over 90 per cent of shopworkers suffering abuse, more than two-thirds threatened and one in seven assaulted. We are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be part of the job. At a time when we should all be working together to get through this crisis, it is a disgrace that staff working to keep food on the shelves and the shop safe for customers are being abused. Action to protect shop workers is needed.
“A new protection of shopworkers law has come into force in Scotland, but we are deeply disappointed that the UK Government has continued to resist a similar measure in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Retail staff across the UK have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.
“This is a hugely important issue for our members. They are deeply concerned that the current high levels of abuse will become the norm, unless the Government takes urgent and meaningful action. Shopworkers are saying loud and clear that enough is enough. The Government has promised to bring forward an amendment to their flagship policing bill in the House of Lords and we urge them to keep their word.”
