Unpaid trial shifts are a shocking exploitation of workers, says Scottish Green Co-leader Lorna Slater MSP, who has called for the unfair practice to be banned.
Unions and campaigners have called the unpaid trial shifts a “dark stain on the hospitality sector” and called on the UK Government to act.
Whilst in Government, the Scottish Greens delivered fair work measures to make all companies receiving public sector grants pay at least the real living wage and a commitment from the Scottish Government that they would work towards banning unpaid trial shifts.
Party Co-Leader Lorna Slater MSP said: “Scottish workers have been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis and 14 years of Tory misrule at Westminster.
“Those working in bars and restaurants are on the front line of customer service every single day, but a lot of them have to endure very poor pay and conditions.
“Many people moving to hospitality and retail jobs are subjected to unpaid trial shifts, which have become commonplace across the industry. These shifts continue to generate profit for these businesses and are a clear-as-day example of workers’ exploitation. It is shocking.
“A lot of service workers in our shops, bars and restaurants are not in a union and face daily exploitation from their employers, this has to change.
“Labour promised change. They must act now and ban these unpaid trial shifts or give the Scottish Parliament the power to do so.
“The Scottish Greens have used the limited powers of devolution to push for a ban on unpaid trial shifts for companies that receive public sector grants, but more must be done to end this practice for good. If Labour is the party of workers they will use their powers to do so.”
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