ONE of Scotland’s newest Yes parties is calling for all employment law to be transferred to Holyrood.
Powers over legislation related to work and pay are currently reserved to Westminster.
Scotia Future, led by former SNP MSP Chic Brodie, is calling for greater “workplace democracy” and wants the UK Government to hand over those powers to the Scottish Parliament.
It says this will allow Scotland to embark on a “radical” overhaul of labour practices and promote greater employee representation.
It also advocates for more employee-owned businesses and seeks an independent Scotland outwith the European Union.
Brodie, who is standing in the Ayr constituency in May, said: “Scotia Future are not just fighting for real independence for Scotland but real independence for working Scots.
“If elected to Holyrood, Andy and I will pilot a bill through Parliament to repatriate all employment law from Westminster to Holyrood to enshrine in Scots law radical workplace democracy with employee shares and representation.”
Brodie launched the new party in October with Andy Doig, a Renfrewshire councillor who was previously an SNP member.
Doig, who latterly sat on the council as an independent, will contest the Renfrewshire South seat.
The pair launched their Holyrood drive at the historic Weaver’s Cottage museum in the village of Kilbarchan, which is part of Renfrewshire South.
That seat is currently held by the SNP’s Tom Arthur, while John Scott of the Conservatives represents Ayr.
Doig said both areas have a history of radical politics through the poets Robert Burns and Robert Allan.
He stated: “The Tories are in the pocket of big business, the SNP tied to a pro-austerity Growth Commission, and Labour has little to say on giving ordinary Scots who feel they have no real stake in society the dignity and respect they deserve at work.
“Only Scotia Future will be putting workplace democracy at the forefront of this Holyrood campaign.
“Workers democracy was the battle cry of Robert Allan, the weaver poet of Kilbarchan, and Robert Tannahill of Paisley, who were both acolytes of Rabbie Burns.
“Scotia Future is the inheritor of that radical social conscience, rooted in the history of Ayrshire and Renfrewshire, in Scottish politics today.”
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