Checkout workers 'abused' over plastic bag ban

Shop assistants have revealed they’ve been increasingly abused by customers since the single use plastic bag ban came in effect on the weekend.

A Current Affair went undercover to hear from checkout staff how they’ve been coping as they struggle with customers.

On Sunday, Coles supermarkets introduced a national ban on single use plastic bags. It comes a week after Woolworths implemented its national ban.

One shop assistant told A Current Affair customers weren’t happy with having to pay for a bag.

“Yesterday I had a gentleman who was like, I’m against the banned bags, because what am I going to use, to line my bins,” she said.

“I’m just hoping that it’s not going to be too bad tomorrow.”

Another staff member told A Current Affair people were angry and had been really upset.

Bernie Smith from the SDA Union, which represents retail workers, says while the majority of shoppers have been good, there are some who have taken their frustration out on workers.

“They’re just doing their jobs, they don’t make the rules,” he said.

In the worst case, one staff member was assaulted in Western Australia.

“I don’t know what would possess somebody to think they have the right to touch a retail staff member but he grabbed them by the throat,” Mr Smith said.

Woolworths announced last week it would be offering free reusable bags to customers until Sunday, to ease them into the ban.