MP’S unpaid trial shifts battle ‘won’t go away’
An SNP MP whose attempt to ban unpaid trial shifts was blocked by the UK government has pledged to carry on his campaign.
Stewart Mcdonald’s private members’ bill was ‘“talked out” by the business minister in the House of Commons.
Andrew Griffiths said existing laws already prevent workers doing unpaid labour, and claimed Mr Mcdonald’s bill was too broad to be practical.
However, reports have highlighted dozens of cases of unpaid trial shifts, and polling suggests a majority support the bill’s aim. In a Commons debate, SNP MP Neil Gray said many of those exploited had learning disabilities and could not defend their rights.
Nicola Sturgeon tweeted that “the issue will not go away”. Mr Mcdonald said: “It’s disgraceful that the Tory government used archaic Westminster procedures to block MPS from voting for my bill... the UK government must now commit to changing the law, or devolve employment law powers to the Scottish Parliament so that we can do it ourselves.”