Following the announcement that Amazon will be creating 2,500 new permanent jobs throughout its UK operation, Murdo Fraser MSP has called for temporary contract Dunfermline workers to be rewarded with permanent deals.
Amazon says it will take on 2,500 new permanent staff in the UK this year, bringing its total number of UK employees to 14,000.
These include posts at its new London head office, which is under construction, and at three research and development centres, in Cambridge, Edinburgh and London, as well as at a customer service centre in Edinburgh.
It will also be hiring people for its 10 warehouses.
The Scottish Government have been criticised this week for giving Amazon £10million to set up shop in Dunfermline despite working conditions in the warehouse being labelled “terrible”.
Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“The offer of a secure permanent contract from Amazon would go a long way to improving working conditions for those at the Dunfermline warehouse and I would encourage company bosses to consider promoting existing temporary workers on site.
“The UK Government’s National Living Wage will see those over the age of 25 being paid a minimum of £7.20 an hour, rising to £9 in 2020, and I would hope that existing Amazon employees are able to take advantage of this.
“The Scottish Government has a responsibility to ensure that it only supports companies that are fully committed to providing the best possible working conditions for its employees and that includes Amazon.
“I would hope that Amazon invests in their workforce at Dunfermline and reward workers there with a permanent contract as they are an integral cog within their business model.”