Employment agency Redwigwam is scrapping fees until further notice to help logistics firms ensure they have enough drivers and warehouse workers to keep the supply chain moving.
The company specialises in helping firms find flexible workers to carry out short-term and ad hoc jobs.
Lorna Davidson (pictured), founder and chief executive of Liverpool-based Redwigwam, said: “Coronavirus is already having a massive impact on businesses across the UK and the government has made clear that the situation will get worse over the coming weeks.
“We are seeing a huge spike in enquiries from businesses in the transport and logistics sector who are battling to keep Britain moving at a time when the industry is under huge pressure to ensure the country doesn’t run out of supplies. This includes the need to ensure there are enough drivers and people to work in warehouses.
“We can supply an army of flexible workers across the country who are able to help meet the short-term requirements of companies whose staff have been affected by coronavirus.”
The government has warned that around a fifth of the workforce could be off sick from coronavirus at the peak of the pandemic. It has also made special provisions to allow more night-time deliveries to supermarkets and chemists to ensure food and medicine supplies. However, there are concerns that the current HGV driver shortage could hamper efforts to maintain supply chains already under strain.
Davidson added: “Any business that has business continuity or productivity issues caused by the coronavirus outbreak can tap into our network of 110,000 workers – and for the foreseeable future we are waiving the fees we would normally charge hiring companies.
“It means we will not be making any revenue. We have a responsibility to keep our family of wigwammers working.”
Pointing to the government’s pledge in the Budget last week to support small businesses, she added: “It is vital that the business community as a whole works together to help each other get through these challenging times.”
