Question reference: S5W-34544
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 13 January 2021
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Current status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 21 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to raise awareness of the statement made by the First Minister to any company failing to facilitate time off in relation to the vaccination process that “any company that does not behave in that responsible way that they should rectify that and put concern for their workers and fair work more generally at the heart of everything that they do" (Official Report, 17 December 2020 c 21).
Answer
We expect all employers to support workers to be vaccinated, and to do everything they can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Employment legislation is reserved and we will continue to promote our Fair Work approach to encourage employers to go beyond their statutory duties to support their workforce.
The vaccine forms a critical part of our public health strategy, and we have updated our joint statement of Fair Work practices to make specific reference to supporting workers “attend for vaccination when advised to do so, without any financial detriment.” The Scottish Government’s Deployment Plan sets out how we will work as fast as supplies allow to vaccinate everyone over the age of 18 and those aged 16 and 17 who are frontline health and social care workers, young carers or have underlying health conditions in Scotland – 4.5 million people.
The health and wellbeing of individuals, communities and the economy is our priority, and in these exceptional times, adopting a Fair Work approach is more important than ever.