16.09.2015
People in Paisley will have the opportunity to tell MSPs on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee how their working lives have changed since the 2008 recession when the Scottish Parliament comes to the town next week.
The Committee will meet in Paisley Town Hall on Monday 21 September as part of Parliament Day Paisley. The Committee will hear the perspective of local people as it takes evidence from over 50 businesses, employees, charities, social enterprises and further education services.
Holyrood’s Parliament Day initiative, introduced by the Presiding Officer the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP, takes the Parliament out into communities around Scotland, encouraging local people to take an interest in and engage directly with the Parliament and its work.
This Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into the issue of ‘work, wages and wellbeing’, which is looking at the contrasting qualities of different jobs and the impact of low wages and temporary/insecure jobs on the Scottish economy. The Committee is also looking at the health and social impacts of low pay and low quality work.
MSPs on the Committee will also meet with Renfrewshire Council to discuss how their economic policies impact on the employment opportunities within the area.
Convener of the Committee Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Throughout this inquiry, we have been determined to hear directly from people about their experiences in the workplace since the economic downturn.
“It is vital for us as a Committee to get out of Holyrood and into communities across Scotland. The views that we will hear will contribute directly to the Committee’s inquiry and will help us gain a greater understanding of what’s happening in Paisley and how this reflects on the wider Scottish economy.”
The Committee recently issued a survey asking people across Scotland their views on their job. The results showed that 74 per cent of respondents said they thought their job was ‘good’ and 26 per cent answered ‘bad’. 62% of people reported having health problems as a result of their job.
Of those saying their job was “good” most highlighted decent pay and job security. Job satisfaction and feeling valued by employers were also frequently mentioned. The most common reasons people gave for their job being ‘bad’ were low pay, poor management, hours and job insecurity.
In the evening, local people are also invited to an informal Q&A session, hosted by the Presiding Officer, where they can quiz local MSPs about how their Parliament works for them.
Background
Parliament Day Paisley will be held in Paisley Town Hall, Abbey Close, Paisley PA1 1JF. The informal Q&A session with the Presiding Officer is open to all from 5:30pm.
To get more information and to find out how you can be involved please contact: Debra Gourlay, Outreach Services Support Officer on 0131 348 5414 or email [email protected]
Launched in November 2012, the Parliament Day initiative is all about taking the Parliament out of Edinburgh and into communities across Scotland. Parliament Days allow people to see the Parliament at work – both official parliamentary business such as committee meetings, and on a less formal level by meeting local MSPs and Parliament staff.