Evidence before the COVID19 select committee today outlines the horrific abuse levelled at retail workers during the pandemic. "We're classified as essential workers, but we don't get the recognition we deserve. Why can't we have more support from the Government" #saparli

These stories include stories of workers being screamed at repeatedly, name calling, racist remarks, of being hit and scratched, of customers demanding the use of workers' personal hand sanitiser that they are required to have but must buy themselves. It's unacceptable

The National Retailers Association estimates that abuse against retail workers increased by 400% during the pandemic

We've heard that the SDA had to campaign for plexiglass screens and for distancing markers, and to ensure that retailers actually provided alcohol based hand sanitiser when some refused.

The SDA have written to the Premier on multiple occasions, but the Government refused to declare retail workers as essential workers. The SDA have also sent through many suggestions to ensure worker safety with limited if any response from the Government

We're now hearing the shocking levels of abuse - in some workplaces, from about 1 in 5 customers - levelled at workers who took on the role of COVID Marshalls. We've heard how these workers have copped abuse for even just offering hand sanitiser to customers passing by

@SDAunion say they are unaware of steps being taken - if any - by SafeWork SA to ensure safe workplaces for retail workers during the pandemic. It's quite clear that some policies and decisions during this time made workplaces and workers unsafe, which was avoidable

And it's not just about workers facing violence and abuse. We're hearing that there was ZERO engagement from SafeWork SA when it came to taking steps to prevent retail workers from contracting the virus, especially early on in the pandemic

Timely reminder, too, that SA Health didn't actually provide any health advice that would indicate that shop trading hours needed to be extended, nor did any other health body. Indeed, as the SDA point out it just gave people more time to go to multiple supermarkets and stockpile

The committee is hearing that the extended trading hours also exacerbated difficulties with warehousing and updating stock etc. It's really unclear if anyone other than the Treasurer himself actually wanted longer trading hours