85 per cent of front line shop workers have experienced abuse during COVID pandemic

She was speaking as the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) launched its Respect for Shop Workers Week.

A survey of workers has found that three-quarters of retail staff say abuse has been worse during the pandemic.

The Foyle MLA said: “Obviously the Christmas period can be a very stressful period for many people but this year more than ever it will be a very stressful period with the COVID pandemic and the outworkings of it.

“The results of a survey carried out by USDAW has discovered that three-quarters of retail staff say abuse has been worse during the pandemic.

“Its also found 85% of shop workers have experienced verbal abuse, 57% were threatened by a customer and 9% were assaulted.”

Ms. Mullan described the figures as ‘worrying’ and said shop workers deserved support.

“They are trying to keep businesses open and provide, in many cases, a vital service in communities and working very long hours in the run up to Christmas.

“The last thing we want to see is them being subject to this type of abuse just for asking someone to stay a few metres apart in a queue or to wear a face mask,” she declared.