Unions in the island say they are disappointed over the lack of consultation from government during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Prospect Union, led in the island by Mick Hewer and the teaching union NASUWT are both calling for greater protection for their members’ jobs, finances and health.

Mr Hewer, Prospect Negotiations Officer said he has been taking large numbers of calls from concerned members employed across all sectors, with many of those calls relating to uncertainty about self-isolation and not attending work and how they will pay their bills.

He said: ’Whilst I broadly support the measures announced by the Treasury Minister earlier this week there is little by way of clarity - How do our members claim? Does the employer claim and if so, how are we guaranteed that they will actually pass on payments to their staff?

’If businesses claim on their commercial insurance for staff, what guarantees and checks are in place to ensure claims are passed onto our members? These concerns are real and genuine.’

The union negotiator said he encouraged businesses and employees to contact the government about the money available to workers (£280 per week, equivalent to 75% of the living wage based on 2019) for the next 12 weeks.

Mr Hewer also raised concerns about staff on zero hour contracts being ’disproportionately’ affected and called on companies to avoid redundancies.

He said that the union was already aware of ’large numbers’ of staff being let go and he was concerned the crisis could be used to pressure workers to accept lower pay and conditions than they currently have.

Meanwhile, Ms Chris Keates, Acting General Secretary of the NASUWT said the union is ’deeply concerned about the lack of clarity and consultation around the partial closure of schools’.

Ms Keates added: ’The NASUWT is disappointed over the lack of consultation over the response to the virus, in stark contrast to other island jurisdictions where plans have been developed in the spirit of partnership.

’Teachers are committed professionals who are eager to play their part in this national crisis, but this must be done in a planned, safe way that avoids unnecessary interactions.

’Parents and employers must also act responsibly and only send their children to school if they are a key worker and there is no other appropriate childcare provision for them.

’The NASUWT calls upon the Education Department and Minister to work with the union to devise an approach which minimises risks to school staff so that they can support the collective effort to tackle the Coronavirus outbreak.’