Scottish Government Debate: Fair Work in a Wellbeing Economy

Neil Gray S6M-11161 That the Parliament agrees that the position of the UK Government on trade union legislation, industrial relations and employment law works against the ambitions to make Scotland a fair work nation; recognises that the current approach of the UK Government contributes to lower productivity and higher inequality than is the case in countries comparable to Scotland, and calls, therefore, for the devolution of employment powers to the Scottish Parliament, as supported by the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Murdo Fraser S6M-11161.2 As an amendment to motion S6M-11161 in the name of Neil Gray (Fair Work in a Wellbeing Economy), leave out from “agrees” to end and insert “acknowledges that the Scottish Government’s own economic record is characterised by sluggish growth and a lack of competitiveness; notes that progress in fair work and economic prosperity can only be achieved through a collaborative approach with the UK Government, rather than by advocating for further devolution of employment powers, which is not supported by the business community, and urges the Scottish Government to change tack and focus on effective, pro-market policies and measures to improve Scotland's economic situation and job prospects, as outlined in the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party’s paper, Grasping the Thistle.” Daniel Johnson S6M-11161.3 As an amendment to motion S6M-11161 in the name of Neil Gray (Fair Work in a Wellbeing Economy), leave out ", and calls, therefore, for" and insert "; endorses the Labour Party’s New Deal for Working People, which has been described by the Trades Union Congress as the biggest expansion of workers’ rights in decades and would ban zero-hours contracts, outlaw fire and rehire practices, deliver a genuine living wage, and enhance rights through parental leave and sick pay from day one; recognises that delivering the New Deal for Working People would immediately improve workers’ rights in Scotland and across the UK, and believes, therefore, that it should be prioritised by the UK Government, in order to create a UK-wide floor, before it explores how these rights can be entrenched through".