Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has urged the UK Government to consult directly with businesses that depend on seasonal labour as new employment regulations move through Parliament.
The Employment Rights Bill has drawn criticism from opposition MPs who say some of its measures could make seasonal, flexible and part time work more difficult to manage.
The Bill includes plans to make flexible working the default from day one of employment.
Opponents warn that this could reduce the operational flexibility needed by sectors that experience sharp fluctuations in seasonal demand.
The Bill also proposes requiring businesses to offer contracts with higher guaranteed hours.
Industry representatives say this could increase costs and limit the ability of employers to scale staffing up or down when visitor numbers or orders change unexpectedly.
Jamie Stone highlighted the importance of seasonal workers to hospitality businesses across the Highlands.
He said Mackays Hotel in Wick is one example of a business that relies on increased staffing at peak points in the year to meet visitor demand.
He also pointed to the seasonal nature of agricultural work such as potato roguing, where workers manually identify and remove unwanted plants to protect the quality of Highland seed potatoes.
Jamie Stone said:
“What matters to me and my constituents is that seasonal workers and their employers are given the help they need, and that such workers are recognised for playing an important part in our economy.”
He said his party supports the principles aimed at strengthening worker protections but warned that unintended consequences must be addressed.
“My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I have made it clear that we support many of the principles within the Employment Rights Bill that are designed to protect individuals.
“However, the Government must mitigate unintended repercussions for smaller businesses.”
He said the Government must ensure businesses are fully engaged in the process.
“That’s why I’ve called on the Government to ensure that businesses relying on seasonal work are properly consulted when new regulations are drawn up in order to balance employee security with the need for flexibility.”
His comments reflect rising concern among hospitality, farming and tourism employers who say seasonal working patterns are essential to the survival of local industries across the Highlands.
The Bill will continue its progress through Parliament in the coming months, with further scrutiny expected on how its proposals will affect rural and seasonal economies.
