Coronavirus: Public Health before Private Profit
Implement price controls to stop price gouging now
Government control of distribution of sanitiser and masks necessary to prioritise access for those who need them
Immediate radical measures to promote social distancing needed to slow spread of virus
Paul Murphy TD said:
"Over the past week, my office has received almost 2,000 messages and comments from people outraged by profiteering by suppliers and retailers of hand sanitiser and face masks. Many with underlying conditions, scared of catching the virus, have shared their stories of being ripped off trying to buy products to protect them and their families. We want to highlight these stories today and encourage more people to speak up.
“Some of the most egregious examples have gone viral online like with a Londis which was charging €9.95 for a 30ml hand sanitizer or Hickey’s Pharmacy charging €150 for a packet of face masks. While public outrage has forced some of the shops to back down, it is not enough. The government needs to move immediately to introduce price controls to outlaw these disgusting rip-offs.
“We need similar action to what has happened in France, where the government issued a decree capping the prices shops could sell hand gel at: €2 for 50ml, €3 for 100ml, €5 for 300ml and a litre for €15. They also requisitioned all face masks, to ensure they were made available to those who need them most.
“We are launching a petition today urging the government to implement emergency price controls like they have done in France. People can sign this petition at http://bit.do/pricecap.
This could be done immediately by a government order under the 2017 Consumer Protection Act. We are also calling for hand sanitiser dispensers to be made available at all busy public spaces, at workplaces that remain open, at all public buildings and for those using public transport.”
“The government must also act to ensure workers at risk of exposure to the virus have adequate supplies. We have heard that GP's are not being provided with masks by the HSE and are buying them wherever possible. Many shops have now run out of sanitiser. The government must take control of the distribution of these essential hygiene products to ensure that health and care workers, and people working in essential services, have free access to hygiene products.”
Tom O’Connor, senior representative with the National Bus and Rail Workers Union (NBRU) commented:
“The NBRU has, over recent days, written to the CEO of the NTA requesting that the employee representative bodies (Unions) should, as major Stakeholders, be directly involved in the fluid decision making process in relation to measures or interventions which may be required on our Public Transport system.”
Paul Murphy TD added:
“Measures to stop price gouging are only one part of the overall approach that is needed - one that puts public health before private profit. We've all read the reports from Italy. We need to listen to the medical experts. They are telling us to take radical measures now before the virus rapidly spreads and overwhelms our underfunded health system.
Widespread social distancing, combined with people following the advice on hand washing and self-isolation is needed to slow the spread of the virus. The government needs to take radical measures to facilitate that. This means immediately restricting personal contact, while protecting ordinary people's incomes and housing security.
That requires full sick pay for all who who are unable to go to work for any reason related to the virus, including being in self-isolation, being in a vulnerable population, because of workplace closures or due to caring for others.
“Universities, schools, childcare centres, and all non-essential workplaces should be shut down, with people remote working and studying where possible. Non-essential travel and social gatherings, both within the country, but particularly internationally, should now stop. Health workers must be fully supported, including through special childcare arrangements where necessary to enable them to continue working – they are most at risk.
Testing should be made immediately available for health workers, essential service workers and care workers.
Any redeployments or emergency recruitment of agency staff must be by agreement with health care unions. There must not be an imposition of new contracts without union agreement.”