STUC calls for 11th hour amendments to Procurement Bill

May 13th 2014

STUC calls for 11th hour amendments to Procurement Bill

May 13th 2014

Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) General Secretary, Grahame Smith said.

"Today's third reading of the Procurement Reform Bill provides a final opportunity to strengthen provisions on ethical procurement including the requirement on contractors to pay the living wage, to promote equality and introducing protections on blacklisting. The Scottish Government has been too cautious in its approach in areas such as preventing tax-dodging and meeting climate emission reductions through procurement.

"The STUC continues to support the amendments proposed by MSPs of various parties, including the Living Wage amendment tabled by James Kelly MSP, because we continue to dispute the Scottish Government's interpretation of the limitations imposed by EU law. However, it is our understanding that the Scottish Government intends to publish robust guidance on the implementation of the Living Wage through public contracts; to involve key stakeholders such as trade unions in the production of the guidance; and to ensure that the guidance is followed through appropriate institutional mechanisms. This would certainly go some way towards increasing the incidence of Living Wage contracts in the future.

"We hope that, even at this late stage, the Scottish Government will give careful consideration to all the amendments proposed."

ENDS

For further information contact Dave Moxham 0141 337 8100