This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Shopworkers deserve respect
17/09/2003
Violence against shopworkers is simply
unacceptable and risks harming the prosperity of Scotland's
communities, according to First Minister Jack
McConnell.
He was speaking as he unveiled a
'Respect for Shopworkers Day Charter'. Produced by the
shopworkers union Usdaw, with the backing of major
retailers, the Charter sets out the minimum standards of
respect, courtesy and dignity which the UK's shopworkers
expect and deserve.
The First Minister explained that it
would complement the Scottish government's drive to tackle
anti-social behaviour and put respect for people and
property back into Scotland's communities.
Jack McConnell said:
"Strong communities need thriving
local shops to provide jobs and the goods and services
people need everyday. But increasingly their future is
being put at real risk because the workers on the shopfloor
are facing constant abuse and attacks.
"We all need to take a stand now
against this unacceptable behaviour. Local people should
not feel intimidated by drunks or drug addicts when buying
a loaf of bread or a pint of milk - inside or outside the
shops. Nor should the shopworkers who are trying to help
them.
"Usdaw's Charter hammers home that
message in our shops - I am determined to take action so
that the same message is heard loud and clear in
communities across Scotland."
The British Retail Consortium's annual
retail crime surveys have shown that violence against
shopworkers is a serious and growing problem.
The Charter supports Usdaw's 'Freedom
from Fear' campaign, launched in Scotland by Justice
Minister Cathy Jamieson in July this year.
The Executive's proposals for action
to tackle anti-social behaviour include:
Extending
Anti-Social Behaviour Orders to
under-16s;
Introducing focused, visible
Community Reparation Orders;
Introducing
Parenting Orders;
Extending the availability
of
electronic tagging of young
people;
Banning the
sale of spray paint to
under-16s;
Tougher action to tackle
fly-tipping, graffiti and noise
nuisance;
Giving
police powers to close premises
where drug-dealing or other anti-social behaviour
goes on;
Giving them explicit
powers to disperse groups engaged
in anti-social behaviour;
Introducing
fixed penalty notices for some
forms of anti-social behaviour;
Encouraging greater use of
professional witnesses;
Strengthening
community involvement in local
anti-social behaviour strategies.
The consultation period on the
proposals has now ended. It is anticipated that the
Executive will introduce a bill to Parliament in
October.