The Scottish Labour Party’s proposed Bill to protect shopworkers, including the creation of new offences for shop theft and assault of a retail worker, has achieved the required support from MSPs to be introduced in front of the Scottish Parliament. 

On Friday (June 22), Daniel Johnson MSP received backing from MSPs across all parties for his final proposal for a Protection of Workers Bill to be introduced as a Members’ Bill.

Scottish Grocers Federation chief executive Pete Cheema said: “The SGF is delighted that Daniel’s proposals have secured the necessary support from MSPs to allow him to introduce his Bill.

“This is the culmination of an intense period of hard work by Daniel and we are fully behind his proposal which represents a once in a generation opportunity to make shops safer for staff, customers and communities. It is essential that we demonstrate a shared commitment to protecting retailers from abuse and violence at work. We would therefore urge MSPs from all sides of the Chamber to support the Bill.”

MSP Daniel Johnson added: “I am delighted my proposed member’s bill has received more than the necessary cross-party support and will now move to the drafting stage. These proposals would ensure crimes against workers are taken seriously, with new criminal offences for those who abuse and are violent against staff.

”There is widespread support for a change in the law, with 95 per cent of people responding to the consultation on my member’s bill offering support, along with trade unions and major retailers such as the Scottish Grocers Federation. Violence and abuse should never be ‘just part of the job’ – and with this bill we can help strengthen protections for workers in Scotland.”

Once introduced, the Members Bill will be subject to a three-stage scrutiny process which will involve detailed consideration and debate by a designated lead committee and the whole parliament. The SGF is working alongside Johnson to assist in drafting the Bill.