Labour Minister Heil to Corona outbreak at Tönnies: Check liability possibilities

More than 1300 workers tested positive for coronavirus

22-Jun-2020 - Germany

Following the massive corona outbreak at meat processor Tönnies, the company could possibly be held liable, according to Federal Labour Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD). "I believe that we must examine what civil liability possibilities exist in this area", Heil said on Monday on ARD's "Morgenmagazin" television program.

There would be considerable costs for the health treatment of the people, "but also for what is going on in the region". "I expect this company to do everything possible to limit the damage, to actually stand up for what has been done," said Heil. Essentially, it is about the concept of responsibility.

In a meat factory of the market leader Tönnies in Rheda-Wiedenbrück, Westphalia, more than 1300 workers had been tested positive for the corona virus. Production was stopped for 14 days. The case had fueled the debate about conditions in the slaughter industry.

Heil advised against a boycott: "I am not in favour of calls for a boycott. I'm in favour of keeping rules, because we're not just talking about this one company." He was also a bit tired of personalization, he said. There had been cases in other meat factories too. "There is a need for a complete overhaul and clean-up in this industry."

Heil wants to present a bill this summer to largely ban work contracts in the industry from 2021 - meaning that the complete execution of slaughter work will be bought in from subcontractors. Even now there would already be increased controls, said Heil./red/DP/zb (dpa)

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