07/12/2010 - Shopworkers back assault proposals
Shopworkers tired of risking their safety in the workplace have backed proposals to help protect them from assaults.
The Protection of Workers (Scotland) Bill is being supported by the Co-operative Group, Scotmid Co-operative Society and the Scottish Grocers' Federation. The Bill will bring the protection offered to public-facing staff in-line with that of emergency workers assaulted at work.
MSPs are to vote on the Bill, being directed through Scottish Parliament by Labour MSP Hugh Henry, in the coming weeks. If passed, the Bill would make it clear that it is an offence to assault a shopworker while at work or as a result of them doing their job.
The Bill already has the support of Usdaw, the shopworkers' union. John Hannett, Usdaw general secretary, said: "MSPs have a unique opportunity to declare Scotland intolerant of violence against all workers and I hope they will at least give this important issue further consideration."
John Drummond, chief executive of the Scottish Grocers' Federation, added: "Sadly many shopworkers expect to be subjected to verbal and physical violence in the course of their work. This is simply not good enough. The measures in the Protection of Workers (Scotland) Bill would send out a strong message to those that fail to respect shopworkers and the valuable service they provide that unacceptable behaviour will be punished."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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