Coronavirus: Non-key workers forced to go into ‘risky and distressing’ jobs, MPs reveal

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} MPs have been flooded with “distressing” evidence from staff forced to carry on going into risky workplaces by their bosses, despite the coronavirus epidemic. “Workplaces, even those deemed ‘essential’, should be doing all they can to ensure that their workers are able to work from home or, if they do have to attend work, that they can undertake social distancing.” And John McDonnell, Labour’s shadow chancellor, urged the government to “shut down” firms he accused of “ignoring the lockdown”, saying: “They are putting all our lives at risk by their greed.” The evidence received by Ms Reeves's committee includes: * People still working at a home furnishings firm. A worker revealed: “There are around 70 people in a small room, where only a normal amount of cleaning is happening, and people are travelling to the office from all around Manchester on public transport.” * An estate agents, which has categorised staff as "key workers" and told them to “continue to go on viewings where sellers will allow them”. The MPs were told: “Staff that have been diagnosed with coronavirus have gone home with colleagues continuing to work in the same office without cleaning taking place.” * Satellite TV engineers, who are still moving from home to home to fit or service “a luxury product not everyone is fortunate to own”.