I was very concerned to hear the news emerging over working conditions at Amazon’s warehouse in my constituency.
First things first, Amazon is a hugely important local employer and has brought thousands of jobs into the local economy. But if it has come to a situation where staff are having to camp outside to make ends meet, then clearly there needs to be substantial changes to working practices and contract conditions. For staff to be sleeping outside in tents in the middle of a Scottish winter is not acceptable by any stretch of the imagination.
Amazon is a global brand with a global reputation to uphold, but this isn’t the first time they’ve been accused of playing fast and loose with people’s livelihoods – with rumours of staff members facing the sack for falling ill and being unduly sanctioned for lateness.
As the local MSP for Dunfermline, my primary responsibility is to the people who live and work in the constituency. On their behalf I have already written to Amazon, requesting a meeting with local management before Christmas to get to the bottom of these troubling reports and offered to work with them to help put in place better protections for the workforce.
The SNP in government is working hard to promote the benefits to staff and to employers of paying the living wage – a hugely beneficial method that is proven to increase productivity, morale and staff retention.
I want to hear from any individuals affected and offer my support as constituency MSP to raise their specific cases with management at the warehouse.
It is clear that something needs to change in order for the workers rights to be protected, and I will do all I can as the local MSP to be at the forefront of efforts to protect staff members and ensure that they are able to live and work in dignity.
Shirley-Anne Somerville is the MSP for Dunfermline