A Lanarkshire MSP has launched a new employment injuries bill.
Central Scotland Labour MSP Mark Griffin hopes to strengthen protections and autonomy for those injured in the workplace.
Mr Griffin’s Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Bill aims to establish a new council of experts to help design and deliver the new employment injury benefit.
Responsibility for employment injury benefit has been devolved to Scotland, however these powers have not yet been used by the Scottish Government.
Mr Griffin is calling for the council to be set up to advise on the new benefit and put the voices of workers and trade unions at the heart of Scotland’s approach.
He said: “The devolution of employment injury benefits is a chance to deliver a system that is truly fit for purpose, and my bill will help make that happen.
“Every worker who has lost their livelihood or suffered injury in the workplace deserves justice, but far too many are being failed by the current outdated system, which is still calibrated towards the common industrial injuries of the past.
“From the frontline workers now struggling with long Covid to firefighters diagnosed with cancer, there are still industrial diseases going unrecognised.
“This bill will help us design a system that truly works and give workers and trade unions their voice in this process.
“The Scottish Government must back this bill, use its new powers, and deliver a council that puts workers’ voices at the heart of the new benefit.”
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