Provision must be made for those who cannot return to work due to health or childcare concerns

Responding to this evening’s announcement that the hairdressing sector is to re-open from June 29^th, three weeks earlier than initially planned, trade union Unite – which represents hairdressers throughout Ireland – said that employers need to engage collectively with workers to develop an agreed Covid-19 safety protocol before salons re-open.  The union also called on employers to facilitate those employees who are unable to return to work at the end of the month due to underlying health conditions or lack of childcare provision.  Commenting, Regional Officer Brendan Byrne said:

“While our members are keen to return to work, they need to be assured that both they and their clients will be safe in circumstances where close contact is unavoidable.  Unite is also aware of workers who have underlying health conditions, or family members with such conditions, and therefore do not feel safe returning to work.  There are also many workers in the sector who will be unable to make childcare arrangements between now and June 29^th.

“Employers have not been in contact with Unite regarding re-opening, and the only safety information we have is a document published by the Irish Hairdressing Federation earlier this month.  Before salons re-open, a sector-specific safety protocol will have to be agreed between employers, workers and the relevant government agencies.  In this regard, Unite would welcome contact from employers’ representatives.

“In addition, hairdressing workers who cannot return due to underlying health conditions affecting themselves or their families, or who are unable to make childcare arrangements, must be maintained on current income supports.

“The best way to ensure that the hairdressing sector recovers quickly is for employers to engage collectively with their workers on all aspects of the re-opening”, Brendan Byrne concluded.