Conference highlights impact of COVID on Black health workers | Article, News | News

UNISON and the TUC held a joint conference yesterday evening to explore the experience of Black health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Held at Doughty Street Chambers – a barristers’ chambers particularly known for its work on human rights and civil liberties – the aim of the event was to discuss the current UK-wide public inquiry into the pandemic and to ensure that the experience of Black workers in the healthcare sector is heard and acted upon. Surveys and research have shown how people working in the NHS encountered huge pressures and anxiety during the pandemic – and that Black, Asian and minority ethnic workers often faced additional risk that was not adequately addressed by employers and the government. Barristers representing the TUC at the UK COVID-19 inquiry talked about the TUC’s work in the inquiry so far and how the TUC and its affiliated unions can shed light on the experiences of Black healthcare workers within the inquiry. Key issues affecting Black healthcare workers that the TUC and UNISON have highlighted in the inquiry so far include: A higher risk of infection and severe disease for Black healthcare workers A potential (although the subject of ongoing research) higher risk...