SCOTTISH Labour MPs have been challenged to back calls for Holyrood to get powers over workers’ rights.
The SNP have tabled an amendment to Labour’s Employment Bill, calling for employment law to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
They have challenged Scottish Labour MPs to back the move, which is supported by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC).
Dundee Central MP Chris Law (below) has tabled the amendment which he said would “protect Scottish workers from Westminster for good”.
The Employment Bill faced criticism from trade unions while it was in its early stages, but was broadly welcomed before its third reading, which enters its second day today.
Law said: “Workers across Scotland have been exposed to Westminster governments hell-bent on destroying workers’ rights and any party that claims to support devolution should be right behind our bid to see employment powers devolved – it’s that simple.
"Short of independence, this is the only way that Scotland can fully protect and extend workers’ rights, but without support for the SNP amendment today that won’t happen despite promises from the Labour Party in 2014 that Scotland would get maximum devolution.”
In a broadside against five Scottish Labour MPs who signed a letter backing plans to cut welfare spending by £6 billion, Law added: “It’s time Scottish Labour MPs were stood up and counted on the issues that matter to Scots rather than penning disgraceful letters cheering on Rachel Reeves slashing support for disabled people as we saw this week.”
Roz Foyer (above), the general secretary of the STUC has previously called for employment law to be devolved to the Scottish Parliament, as well as a host of other powers which Labour have ruled out relinquishing.
Writing in The Herald in October, she said: “Further powers over taxation, migration and, importantly, employment law should now be making their way from Westminster to Holyrood.
“The Prime Minister was rightly keen during the election to reset relations with the devolved nations. Powers, not electioneering patter, is the best way to achieve this.”
A UK Government spokesperson said: “This is a government on the side of Scottish workers and in order for the labour market to work effectively across Great Britain, we need one framework with consistent workplace rights and responsibilities.
“Our Employment Rights Bill will make work pay in Scotland and tackle the insecurity, inequality and low incomes that have held back workers and businesses for too long."
