M&S picketed by union over meat factory workers

MEMBERS OF the Unite trade union picketed Marks and Spencer's Grafton Street store in Dublin yesterday in a protest over the treatment of meat factory workers and labelling of foreign meat products.

Unite claims that agency workers employed by many of the retailer's meat suppliers in the UK are treated shamefully, with widespread discrimination against migrant workers.

The union said it was highlighting the company's use of imported meat from Thailand and Brazil, saying it was driving down conditions for low-paid workers employed in the supply chain.

The company said it was extremely disappointed with the action. "We are at a loss as to understand why they continue to single out M&S when we have a leading position in labour standards and work very hard with all our suppliers to maintain these high standards. All sites that we take meat from fully comply with national law and can demonstrate progress in their ethical audits."

A spokeswoman said the company had a clear policy on labelling, showing country of origin on the front of all fresh meat products. Prepared food was clearly labelled with country of origin of the meat components on the back.

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times