LRD guides and handbook August 2020

Health and Safety Law 2020

Chapter 12

Retail and hospitality workers welcome Scottish Bill

Retail and hospitality trade unions welcomed a member’s bill lodged in the Scottish parliament by MSP Daniel Johnson. This proposes a law to protect workers in the retail sector in Scotland, and those who sell age-restricted items, such as bar and restaurant staff.

Johnson says his Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-Related Sales etc.) (Scotland) Bill aims to ensure crimes against shop workers are taken seriously and they receive better protection from the law. He says it recognises shop workers’ responsibilities and provides “a clear and lower threshold at which obstructive, abusive or threatening behaviour is considered a crime and can be prosecuted”.

It can be found on the parliament.scot website.

Scottish Parliament, Proposed Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill (https://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/107499.aspx)