Scottish government has done nothing to combat blacklisting of workers
Friday 01 February 2013
Printable
EmailCan I first of all congratulate the Morning Star for its reporting of the blacklisting scandal - as always on industrial issues like this the Star leads and the mainstream media, for so long disinterested in the subject, now follows.
I would however like to correct one part of Sarah Glenister's otherwise excellent article on the issue (M Star January 31).
In her article Sarah says that the Scottish Parliament has forced the issue up the agenda - sadly, this is not the case.
The reality is that over the last year I have sought to raise this issue through motions, parliamentary questions, articles and so on.
I have also tried to get committees of the parliament to hold an inquiry into the effect of blacklisting on Scottish workers - so far the SNP government have shown absolutely no interest in this matter whatsoever.
Only last week I discovered that the Forth bridge constructors joint venture who are building Scotland's biggest infrastructure project used Consulting Association's services.
The Westminster Scottish affairs committee and its chairman Ian Davidson are to be congratulated for their work on this scandal.
The Scottish government needs to take a stance on this issue - over 320 Scottish workers were on the list.
Doing nothing means the scandal of blacklisting could go on and on.
Neil Findlay
Labour MSP for Lothian
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