Boots withdraws adverts asking for unpaid volunteers to carry out coronavirus tests

‘The fact the government sanctioned this raises serious questions about its attitude to workers’ rights and suggests it is not learning the lessons from the pandemic,’ Labour says

Boots has withdrawn advertisements asking for unpaid volunteers to spend 32 hours a week carrying out coronavirus tests at centres across the country.

The high street chemist was seeking to recruit hundreds of people on behalf of ministers striving to hit a target of 200,000 Covid-19 tests a day.

But unions and opposition parties criticised the call for volunteers to work as swab testers, accusing the government of trying to take advantage of the goodwill of the public.

Legal experts also warned that Boots could be risking investigation under minimum-wage legislation.

Other firms, such as Sodexo, are also advertising for roles at drive-through testing sites, but at rates of up to £13.50 an hour. The company also suggests it would be desirable for applicants to have a medical, clinical or health background.

Boots has now removed the advertisements from its own website and other job sites.

Sources within the company said the expectation was that the adverts seeking volunteer coronavirus testers would be reposted after a review.

They stressed that the company was acting on behalf of the government and that the requirement to work “at least” 32 hours a week was not intended to be binding.

But the high street giant is facing calls to advertise the positions again only when there are generous terms and conditions attached.

The adverts were first revealed by The Independent earlier this week.

In response Unison said the roles took the idea of volunteering “too far”.

One advert stated that Boots was seeking to recruit “up to 1,000” volunteers and current Boots staff to fill the roles.

Applicants were promised full personal protective equipment, in line with NHS standards, as well as training.

But they were warned to consider the health of family members before signing up.

Volunteers were also told the job would involve standing for hours at a time and require enough mobility to “be able to reach into a vehicle to take swabs of both throat and nasal passages at potentially awkward angles”.

Recruits would be expected to be able to work “at least” 32 hours a week, according to the advertisements.

Sources close to Matt Hancock, the health secretary, defended the use of volunteers, saying they had long been part of the successful national fight against the global pandemic.

In a statement, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson also said that the speed at which the government had increased its testing capacity was “unprecedented and a real success made possible by fantastic teamwork between the government, key private companies and amazing volunteers”.

Stewart McDonald, the SNP MP for Glasgow South, said: “I’m glad to hear that this has been withdrawn – quite why they thought this would go down well is beyond me. It was poor judgement that Boots can now rectify by advertising these positions with the generous terms and conditions that they deserve to be attached to them.”

Andy McDonald, from Labour’s shadow cabinet, said: “These ads should never have been posted. This is medical work that is physically and mentally demanding and it should not be voluntary.

“The fact the government sanctioned this raises serious questions about its attitude to workers’ rights and suggests it is not learning the lessons from the pandemic.”

Sir Ed Davey, acting Lib Dem leader, said: “Nationwide testing to keep people safe is crucial for relaxing the lockdown, so it was always ludicrous to see companies depending on volunteers.

“The government should never have tried to take advantage of the public’s willingness to help fight the virus.

“The testing strategy is incredibly important and must be treated as such – those performing the tests for coronavirus should be formally employed, trained and paid.”

“Not only that, but all those willing to take on the role deserve to have all the benefits that come with employment. When thousands of people across the country are struggling to get by, it was scandalous to try and get them to work on the front line unpaid. If these job adverts are to be put back up, they must be a part of a formal employment offer – nothing less is acceptable.”

Sara Gorton, Unison’s head of health, said: “It’s good to see the ad’s been withdrawn. Hopefully it won’t be back.

“Increasing testing is crucial. As well as maximising capacity in NHS labs, ministers should be using some of the 40,000 experienced health workers who’ve come out of retirement, not relying on private firms who expect people to work for free.”