A UNION has slammed online retailer Boohoo for selling “useless” facemasks while staff in warehouses are left without proper safety equipment.

Usdaw said it was “scandalous” that the company was selling fashionable face masks while workers at its Burnley distribution centre are left "terrified they may become infected with coronavirus" and put family members at risk.

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.

“Today’s 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.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The Boohoo slogan facemask

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

“At a time when health workers are desperate for PPE, along with many public-facing staff delivering essential services, Boohoo should hang their heads in shame for this despicable stunt.

“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."

Usdaw’s North West divisional officer has written to Boohoo calling for them to close the warehouse for the safety of its employees and their families.

Mr Lillis confirmed he will also write to the company and the government to demand action around online retailers.

“We again call on the government to review their advice to online non-essential retailers,” he added.

“Problems like this occur because contradictory government advice encourages online retailers to carry on regardless, while telling non-essential workers to stay at home.”

The union raised concerns about inadequate PPE and lack of social distancing at the Burnley warehouse in March, after the retailer confirmed it was staying open throughout the crisis.

Meanwhile, other clothes manufacturers have switched to making industry-standard PPE items to help health workers on the frontline.

In response, a Boohoo spokesperson said: “Selling masks as a fashion accessory has been popular with our global customer base for a long time.

“We are clear that this item is not suitable or designed to be used as protection and we are very sorry for any upset that the message on this particular item has caused and have immediately taken them off sale.

“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.

“Our distribution centre in Burnley has extensive social distancing and hygiene measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing 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.

"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."