Member’s bill has second reading this month
A BILL that would ban employers from conducting unpaid work trials will receive its second reading at Westminster this month, having garnered cross-party support.
SNP MP Stewart McDonald’s private member’s bill would require employers to pay candidates no less than the National Minimum Wage for any trial shifts and would compel employers to provide feedback from any trial work period.
Other requirements under the proposed bill, which will be debated in parliament on 16 March include providing work trial participants with a job description outlining the qualities that must be demonstrated during the trial and informing employment candidates of how many jobs are available for those with the required skills.
At the launch of his bill, McDonald said: “The bill is needed because the law is extremely grey in this area and that is being used to take advantage of people in a cynical and unfair way.
“In 20 years of the National Minimum Wage Act there hasn’t been one case, far less a prosecution or government action, against the use of unpaid trial shifts.”
The member’s bill has been welcomed by trade union Unite, which has campaigned on the issue through its Better than Zero and Fair Hospitality campaigns.
The trade union has accused a number of employers of using trial shifts as free labour, including discounter Aldi. Unite said reports from its members and former staff have led the union to believe as many as 150 workers per store have been brought in for unpaid trial shifts.
Aldi has responded to these allegations by claiming Unite’s figures are “totally inaccurate”. The discounter said a total of 193 people have attended trials at Aldi’s store in Scotland over the last year, with 97 of these going on to secure jobs with the company.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “As part of the interview process and to help prospective employees decide if a career with Aldi is right for them, they are invited to spend time in one of our stores. These sessions last for two hours and include a full health and safety briefing.”
