A union with more than 150 members at a Newark factory has spoken out over sick pay for those needing to self-isolate.
It comes after a sharp rise in positive coronavirus cases in the town linked with the Bakkavor dessert factory in Jessop Way.
In the most recent seven days of available data, there have been 34 confirmed cases in the area, bringing the weekly rate of new cases to 25.4 per 100,000.
Unite, the UK and Ireland's largest union, has said the factory must increase sick pay from the statutory minimum of £95.85 a week that its "low-paid workers" currently receive.
A spokesman for Unite added: "Not to do so risks staff facing the stark choice of working while potentially infected or being unable to pay for food, rent or other bills."
Unite said it is in contact with the factory’s management and is ‘satisfied’ with the on-site health and safety precautions being taken, but warned that it is ‘monitoring the situation closely’ and will not hesitate to hold Bakkavor to account if staff are put at risk.
Unite regional officer Mick Orpin said: “Like many other low paying employers in food manufacturing, the Bakkavor factory in Newark does not provide company sick pay for its workers.
“Not only is this unfair given how hard its staff work, it increases the risk of coronavirus transmission within the workplace – Bakkavor must provide adequate sick pay to ensure this doesn’t happen.
“Staff should not be faced with the stark choice of self-isolating on a radically reduced wage or hoping for the best and going into work because they can’t afford not to.
“Unite is in contact with the factory’s management and is satisfied with the onsite health and safety measures that have been put in place. We are monitoring the situation closely, however, and will not hesitate to hold the company to account if staff safety is neglected.”
A coronavirus testing site has been set up in Newark to allow residents easier access with the aim of curbing the rise.
Residents and local MP, Robert Jenrick, have given a positive reaction to the move by Public Health who has said the community needs to do "all it can" to prevent a potential local lockdown.
