Sneaked through Trade Bill offers nothing in this time of crisis, and Governments continue to wash their hands of workers

March 19th 2020

Sneaked through Trade Bill offers nothing in this time of crisis, and Governments continue to wash their hands of workers

March 19th 2020

While the UK Government tables a widely criticised Trade Bill, Boris Johnson fails yet again to give workers the security they need in this time of COVID19 crisis. The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), representing over 540,000 workers in Scotland, states that this is another stark reminder of where the UK Governments priorities lie.

The STUC has called for bold action from the Governments, contrasting the measures other countries in Europe have taken to support workers.

STUC General Secretary Designate, Roz Foyer, says:

“While workers up and down that country have worked, worried and tried to pull together, the Government has spent today in Parliament callously sneaking through a discredited trade bill which offers nothing of comfort for workers.

“Meanwhile another day goes by with our country being put to shame by the response of other countries.

“Where is the guaranteed income protection for workers or the wage subsidy scheme? While £350 billion is handed out to business, crucial financial support to protect jobs is missing.

“Boris Johnson is asking businesses to stand by their workers, but that is merely wishful thinking at this stage.

“Why is the Scottish Government not pressing harder when days ago the Welsh First Minister urged the UK’s Chancellor to underwrite the payment of wages and significantly extend the benefits system?

“Our Governments are washing their hands of workers’ needs. This shameful inaction must end now.”

ENDS

Notes To Editors Liz Truss, the UK’s Trade Secretary, tabled a new Trade Bill today: https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/trade.html

For more information, please contact Dave Moxham, Deputy General Secretary on 07891026870 or Rachel Thomson, Campaigns & Communications Officer on 07974966227.