Employees at the Maple Lodge Farms poultry plant in Brampton, Ont., where a worker has died from COVID-19 are speaking out about alleged unsafe working conditions amid a novel coronavirus outbreak that has sickened at least two dozen workers.
Three employees allege they are being limited to one or two protective masks per shift and the plant is failing to take proper physical distancing measures in common areas like the change rooms and lunch rooms.
The union representing the plant’s workers also says it is aware of at least eight formal complaints that have prompted provincial inspections in recent weeks. “I would say it’s as close to working at a sweatshop as you can get,” said an employee.