Chamber and committees

The Minister for Higher Education, Further Education, Youth Employment and Training met with Amazon on 2 September 2021. In his previous role as Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills he met Amazon on several occasions to discuss Fair Work issues, emphasising the benefits of Fair Work for both Amazon staff and the organisation.

The Scottish Government remains committed to promoting Fair Work across the economy and encourages all employers to adopt fair work practices, including paying workers at least the real Living Wage and providing appropriate channels for effective voice, such as trade union recognition.

Support under section 9 or section 10 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 was placed on a statutory footing on 1 April 2018. This can include accommodation, assistance with day to day living, medical advice and treatment, language translation and interpretation, counselling, legal advice, help accessing other services and, if the victim wishes, repatriation.

Although asylum is a matter reserved to the UK Parliament and is the responsibility of the Home Office, in individual circumstances it is possible for people supported under section 9 or section 10 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 to be housed in asylum accommodation.

The detailed information requested is currently being collated. I will write to the member as soon as the information is available and a copy will be placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib number 63102).

The Scottish Government expects employees in all workplaces to be treated fairly and is doing everything it can to drive up employment standards and promote Fair Work practices, including effective worker voice, with the powers available to us.

We continue to call for employment law to be devolved in order to protect and improve worker’s rights and to create fairer and more inclusive workplaces.

The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting strong Trade Unions in Scotland for the benefit of workers and our economy. We have provided funding of £250,000 annually for the last five years to STUC, to help unions embed the Fair Work Framework in Scotland's workplaces. We will continue to call on employers to ensure appropriate channels for effective voice in the workplace, including engaging with relevant trade unions for their sector to improve working conditions and employment practices in Scotland.

The Scottish Government agrees with Amnesty International on the importance of meeting international human rights law and standards, and welcomes the recommendations in the report. Both public authorities and private enterprises have a responsibility to ensure that human rights are respected and protected in the workplace. These rights include the right to join and form trade unions, and to enjoy safe and healthy working conditions.

The Scottish Government notes that Amazon acknowledges these obligations, which are further underlined by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It is important that such commitments are given practical effect in a manner that ensures the rights of employees are properly respected across all aspects of a company’s operations, both in Scotland and in a global context.

The Scottish Government is very clear that trade unions are social partners and play an essential role in promoting good employment practice and in ensuring that Scotland’s workers have an effective voice.

Under the current constitutional settlement, employment law (including trade union law) is reserved to the UK Parliament. The long-standing position of the Scottish Government is that employment law should be devolved, so that all necessary action can be taken in Scotland to protect and improve workers’ rights and to create fairer and more inclusive workplaces.

Works are underway at Troon harbour which will be used as an alternative mainland port to support CalMac services. Troon will also support the operation of the Ardrossan-Brodick/Campbeltown ferry services when they are temporarily diverted during the construction phase of the Ardrossan Harbour redevelopment project.

These works are closely monitored and are set to be completed before the scheduled introduction of the MV Glen Sannox.

In addition, upgrade works as part of the Skye Triangle Infrastructure Programme at Tarbert (Harris) and Uig (Skye) ports are currently in the construction phase, and are expected to be completed by early 2022 and Summer 2023 respectively.

Lochmaddy (North Uist) is currently in procurement phase with a contract award expected early 2022 and completion of works by Spring 2023; programme dates are subject to funding approval and contractor mobilisation.

A project programme will be made available following the tender stage and appointment of a contractor, however programme dates are subject to completion of the commercial arrangements currently being discussed with Peel Ports Group and Transport Scotland.

Service continuity plans for when services temporarily relocate to Troon are currently being developed.

Glen Sannox and Hull 802 have 3 training cabins, 8 officer cabins and 23 crew cabins each. There are no passenger cabins on either vessel. Passengers will have access to facilities such as lounges, cafeterias and shops.

As part of service continuity planning CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) are undertaking public consultation sessions with communities in early 2022 to gather feedback on Troon timetables. This also includes plans for transport integration and connectivity with other modes whereby CalMac continues to engage with ScotRail and bus operators.

In addition to support the service, two shuttle-bus services will also be available from Ardrossan to Troon and between Troon railway station and port.

The Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, are working closely with CalMac on plans for introducing the vessel into service. This includes crew recruitment, vessel familiarisation and network trials when appropriate on Arran, at Ardrossan and Troon.

It is a matter for each individual Public Body to decide how to address Fair Work First in their procurement processes, with decisions being taken on a procurement-by-procurement basis. In accordance with guidance issued by the Scottish Government bodies are expected to apply the Fair Work First criteria to all new regulated procurement processes from 1 April 2021 wherever relevant and proportionate to do so. This procurement process commenced prior to 1 April 2021.