Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government has not held any recent discussions with representatives of the Construction industry specifically on the application and enforcement of Fair Work principles in major infrastructure projects.

While employment law remains reserved to the UK Parliament, the Scottish Government uses our Fair Work policy to promote fairer work practices across the labour market in Scotland. Through our flagship Fair Work First policy we use the Scottish Government’s financial powers to drive fair work practices and promote more diverse workforces by applying Fair Work First criteria to public sector grants, other funding and contracts where it is relevant to do so. In July 2023, we strengthened our Fair Work First approach by introducing a requirement on public sector grants recipients to pay at least the real Living Wage to all employees and to provide appropriate channels for effective workers’ voice, such as trade union recognition.

The Scottish Government provides construction specific guidance through the Client Guide to Construction Projects which is mandatory for Scottish Government’s public bodies, and voluntary for all other organisations, whose uptake we strongly encourage and actively support. It should also assist contractors and consultants in developing their understanding of how the public sector delivers construction projects.

We highlight the opportunity and need to use public procurement in Scotland to achieve employment of priority groups i.e. women, minority ethnic people, and disabled people. Since October 2021, we have routinely mandated that workers on Scottish Government contracts are paid at least the real Living Wage. We continue to look for opportunities to identify and pursue equality outcomes in relevant procurements

Our Fair Work policy is underpinned by the Fair Work Convention’s Framework, which recognises effective voice as a critical dimension of Fair Work. We are committed to supporting strong Trade Unions in Scotland for the benefit of workers and our economy.