NEWS RELEASE Tuesday 23rd March 2004
STUC welcomes Emergency Workers Bill
The Scottish Trades Union Congress has welcomed moves by the Scottish Executive to introduce legislation allowing for greater penalties for those who attack emergency workers in the course of their duties.
Commenting on the Bill, Ian Tasker, STUC Health and Safety Officer said,
"In light of the increasing number of attacks on emergency workers we welcome the Executive's commitment to increase penalties for those convicted of violence against workers in the course of undertaking their duty to preserve life.
"The extension of the protection afforded to police officers to cover fire fighters, prison officers, ambulance personnel, nurses, midwifes and other emergency workers, as well as those who assist them in their duties, will ensure that those who attack such workers face a new aggravated offence carrying greater penalties than before.
"The STUC has also been working with the Scottish Executive and other stakeholders to prepare a far wider package of non- legislative measures to ensure that any worker serving the public is adequately protected from violence and verbal abuse at their work.
"We welcome these initiatives from the Executive and look forward to working with them to ensure that workplace violence is prevented and for those who persist in attacking workers to face the toughest penalties the courts can sanction."
ENDS
For further details:
Ian Tasker David Moxham