Agenda
Sunday 12 September 14. FREEPORTS IN SCOTLAND Conference is concerned that the Freeport proposals by the UK Government are a part of the agenda to undermine devolution. Conference also recognises that, historically, Freeports have been a haven for criminality, such as money laundering and people trafficking. They also allow those operating within them to erode workers’ pay and conditions. Conference further agrees that local government is under-resourced at present, and as such further burdening it with Freeport requirements cannot be sustained without significant investment. The only way a Freeport should be operated is with consideration for the entire community in which it is sited and is fair and just to all; and with correctly staffed controls by all relevant agencies –not just in the immediate vicinity, but across the wider geographical area. To that end: 1. All businesses operating within the zone must pay the Real Living Wage as a minimum, as well as abiding by Fair Work practices. 2. Trade Union Recognition must be mandatory. 3. Local Government must receive sufficient financial investment to carry out any required services to these zones. 4. All businesses operating within the Freeport zone must be operating to assist the Scottish Government in achieving its ambitious Net Zero targets. 5. Local Communities adversely affected by the operation of the Freeport must be fully compensated by those businesses operating within it. 6. All relevant controls by relevant agencies must be in place – i.e. Health and Safety, environmental controls, law enforcement, etc. Conference agrees therefore that without the six requirements set out above in their entirety, Freeports should not be established or permitted within Scotland. TRADE UNION GROUP, LIVINGSTON NORTH BRANCH, MEADOWS AND MORNINGSIDE BRANCH, GRANTOWN AND DISTRICT BRANCH, LEITH BRANCH, GREENOCK AND INVERCLYDE CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, BANFF AND MACDUFF BRANCH, EDINBURGH EASTERN CONSTITUENCY BRANCH, STACY BRADLEY ORGANISATION CONVENER, THURSO AND DISTRICT BRANCH, GIRVAN AND SOUTH CARRICK, EMMA HARPER MSP
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