Question reference: S4W-30706
- Asked by: Michael McMahon, MSP for Uddingston and Bellshill, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 10 March 2016
-
Current status: Answered by Keith Brown on 22 March 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many companies working on the M8/M74/Raith Interchange improvements employ people on zero-hours contracts and how many people and what percentage of the workforce are employed on such contracts.
Answer
The contract for the Design, Build, Finance and Operation of the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvements Project was awarded to Scottish Roads Partnership (SRP) in February 2014. No staff employed by Transport Scotland or SRP are employed on zero-hour contracts. Sub-contractors are employed directly by SRP, and are subject to private commercial contracts. I can confirm seven individuals out of a workforce of 984 are currently employed on a zero-hours contract, which is less than 1% of the total workforce. We are working with SRP to identify whether it is feasible to offer more stable forms of employment and hours of work to these individuals.
Transport Scotland is committed to supporting Scottish Government’s initiative to encourage fair and progressive work practices. While employment law remains reserved to the UK Government, the Scottish Government is doing everything it can to promote good working practices with the powers available.