Shopkeeper protection bill passes stage 2 at Scottish Parliament

The shopkeeper protection bill introduced by Daniel Johnson MSP has passed the stage 2 at Scottish Parliament with the committee concerned voting to support the Member’s Bill.

The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee of the Scottish Parliament today (17 September) voted to support the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2.

The bill proposes to create a new statutory offence of assaulting, threatening or abusing a retail worker and provide further legal protections when the worker is carrying out their statutory duties such as age restricted sales.

“I’m delighted to see my bill pass Stage 2 at the Economy Committee this morning, especially as it is Respect for Shopworkers Week. It was encouraging to hear so many supportive voices, recognising the important work of our retail workers,” Daniel Johnson, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, said.

Scottish Grocers’ Federation has welcomed the development which represents a crucial step forward in the progress of the bill.

“We are delighted that the Protection of Workers Bill has successfully passed Stage 2 of the Parliamentary process. SGF has worked with Daniel Johnson MSP since 2016 to call for additional protections for shop workers and has been a committed supporter of his Bill. It is critical that we secure these key protections for shop workers and enshrine them in to law,” commented Pete Cheema, SGF chief executive.

“Retailers and shopworkers have been the glue that have held our communities together – during these dangerous and uncertain times caused by the pandemic – indeed you could call them the fourth emergency service.

“Lets’ make sure that we grasp this ‘once in a generation’ opportunity to secure greater protection for Scotland’s shopworkers which Daniel Johnson’s Bill would deliver. Back the Bill”

The bill will now proceed to the final Stage 3 vote before it can be made law, a date for this has yet to be confirmed.