Unions say workers deserve protection

Thousands of workers who deal with the public should be given the same special protection from assault as emergency service personnel, MSPs were told today.

Unions said they feared that if legislation setting down tough penalties was not passed, verbal and physical abuse towards staff going about their daily work would continue to increase.

They were giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament's economy committee on the Protection of Workers Bill, introduced by Labour MSP Hugh Henry. The proposed law would create a new offence of assault against a worker whose employment involves dealing with members of the public.

It would carry a maximum jail term of 12 months and/or a fine of 10,000.