The Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) has backed the SNP’s calls to fully devolve powers over employment law to the Scottish Parliament.
At present the SNP Scottish Government lacks the powers necessary to implement significant changes to workers rights, but has been consistently vocal in their desire to increase statutory sick pay, introduce a real living wage, and better protections for trade unions and the right to strike.
A transfer of powers has been consistently blocked and opposed by the Tories and Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour party.
Commenting, the SNP’s Social Justice spokesperson, David Linden MP said:
“With the full powers over employment law we could deliver where Westminster has failed.
“A real living wage, an increase in statutory sick pay, protections for unions and the right to strike, and more could all be a reality if we had these powers.
“But while the SNP Scottish Government is itching to implement these changes they’ve been blocked by a coalition of the Tories and Labour who continue to side with one another to block devolution.
“It beggars belief that in the face of a crackdown on workers rights by the right-wing Tory government Labour could continue to support keeping these powers in the hands of Westminster.
“So far Labour have been happy to prop up the Westminster status quo and leave Scotland and Scottish workers at the mercy of right wing Tory governments they don’t elect.
“Sir Keir Starmer’s incoming Labour government must devolve employment law so Scotland can take steps to improve worker’s conditions and protect unions and the right to strike, which the Tories are so determined to get rid of.
“Labour are behind on this and are constantly being outflanked by the SNP and other organisations, like the STUC, in calling for a transfer of powers, showing that for Scotland’s voice to be properly represented at Westminster we need a strong SNP presence.”
