Sturgeon announces charter to protect workers during extreme weather

Scottish ministers have expressed concern at reports that some firms made workers travel during last Wednesday's red severe weather warning. Picture: razorcharlie

The First Minster said there should be legislation to protect workers in such extreme conditions, such as last week's red warning, when people were urged to avoid travelling.

However, this is reserved to Westminster.

The charter will be developed with the Scotttsh Trades Union Congress.

In a joint statement with STUC general secretary Grahame Smith, Ms Sturgeon said: “We are grateful to the people of Scotland who have coped tremendously well with the red weather warning and who heeded the advice not to travel.

“However, the Scottish Government and the STUC share a real concern that some workers were placed at unnecessary risk through being compelled to travel to work or placed under threat of lost pay if they did not make it into work.

“We are committed to doing everything within our current powers to encourage employers to be fair and flexible.

"That is why we have agreed to collaboratively develop a Fair Work charter, focusing on the treatment of workers affected by severe weather or other emergencies.

“The charter will set out fair work principles that employers should adopt in these circumstances.

"This will include a recognition that workers need an effective voice through a union to develop appropriate, flexible and fair approaches, and will highlight examples of employers and unions working flexibly and constructively.

“It is our view that legislation should be in place to protect the rights of workers during severe weather.

"As employment law is a reserved area, we will make this case to the UK Government.

"We will continue to press for the devolution of employment powers that would enable the Scottish Parliament to put the employment laws in place that are best suited to Scotland’s needs.”