• ALONGSIDE the heroic front-line workers in our NHS, emergency and care services, we should also praise the efforts of the postmen and women, couriers, delivery drivers and retail and stockroom workers.

They are working so hard and often placing themselves at risk to ensure that we have all the essentials we need during lockdown.

We have sadly heard outrageous reports of some companies failing to enforce social distancing measures in their own workplaces, as well as falling short on providing staff with the protection they need.

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, trade unions have continued to play a vital role in holding employers to account and improving conditions for workers in all sectors and industries.

City Hall has also now teamed up with Our Frontline UK to provide mental health and bereavement support to key and essential workers.

However, there is clearly room for the government to play its part in more strongly enforcing corporate responsibility.

Last week we marked International Workers’ Memorial Day with a minute’s silence to commemorate those who have died while doing their job during the pandemic.

The very least that we owe them is that we ensure that workers are better valued and protected, going forward.

ANDREW DISMORE AM
Labour, Barnet & Camden