Scotland’s economy secretary has failed to rule out giving more public money to Amazon, despite Holyrood hearing the company employs “Victorian” working conditions.
On multiple occasions at Holyrood, Keith Brown declined the offer of opposition MSPs to say that no more grants would be given to the internet giant.
The issue was brought to the Scottish Parliament by Willie Rennie following The Courier’s revelation that workers were camping outside the firm’s Dunfermline depot to avoid paying travel costs.
Asked by the Liberal Democrat leader to rule out any more cash being given to the online retailers Mr Brown said: “All the grants which were previously awarded to Amazon have been paid and the conditions attached to them have been fulfilled. Those grants go back many years, to 2005.
“I would also say that I am concerned about the reports over the weekend.
“I have been in touch with Amazon and we are working on establishing a meeting to take place within the next seven days where these issues can be raised.”
He pointed out the Scottish Government does not have powers to legislate for the living wage or control over employment law.
Mr Rennie responded: “It’s about time the government gave some clarity about whether it will give Amazon grants in the future.”
And, later in the exchanges, Labour MSP Neil Findlay lashed out at the company’s working practices.
He said: “Tax avoidance, low pay, poor working conditions, and no trade union representation.
“What exactly is the government’s message to companies like this, who breach the principles of fair work…because I think the government needs to call them out.
“These employers need exposed for what they are. They are exploiters, they are cheats and they are a throwback to a Victorian era.”
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Courier
