A QUARTER of a million Scots would have a shorter working week whether they wanted it or not under new plans announced by Scottish Labour.
Launching an industrial strategy aimed at creating a fairer, more productive economy, the party said it wanted to phase in an absolute limit of 48 hours.
The UK limit is already 48 hours for most workers under EU law, although individuals can opt-out if they come to an arrangement with their employer.
Around 250,000 full-time Scots employees, or 15 per cent, work longer.
There are fears the UK government could abandon the current system after Brexit, leaving workers facing demands from bosses to work even more hours.
Calling for the devolution of employment and health and safety law after Brexit, Labour’s strategy document said Holyrood could set a £10 living wage and end the personal opt-out.
It said this could be done “with no loss of earnings” alongside "improving health and safety standards, developing a better work-life balance, enhancing equalities legislation and boosting productivity”.
However Labour was unwilling to put a timescale on a 48-hour maximum, saying it was a longer-term goal as part of rebalancing the economy.
The Tories said Labour was trying to "dictate" people's hours.
Labour said its wanted Scotland to be one of the most productive nations in the world, with a target of boosting Scottish GDP by around a third.
Other plans included more investment in teaching children computer coding, science, technology, engineering and maths; dedicated ministers for innovation and cities; a ban on zero-hour contracts; and a public sector boycott of companies using blacklisting or zero-hours contracts .
Labour economy spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: “Too many people experience long working hours, job monotony, and stress.
“Following Brexit, a Scottish Government could consider ending current opt-outs which fail to deliver on our ambition for an inclusive economy. "This would potentially benefit thousands of workers across the country, in particular under-pressure NHS staff. We want to start a dialogue with business about the opportunities this would bring."
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale said: “We need a Scottish Government with a plan for jobs and economic development, instead of one which sits back and leaves it entirely to the market. It is time for real change.”
Reacting to the policy on work hours, Tory economy spokesman Dean Lockhart said: “No-one should be forced to work those kinds of hours if they don’t want to or simply can’t.
“However, many people - particularly those running their own businesses -do want to, and will be appalled at the idea of Labour trying to tell them what to do. Others may need the cash.
“Labour simply do not have the right to dictate to those people what hours they should and shouldn’t be working. These restrictions have been tried elsewhere, and they’ve been shown to damage the economy.”
SNP MSP Ivan McKee said: "The biggest contribution Labour could make would be to end their ridiculous support for the Tories’ policy of dragging Scotland and the UK out the EU single market and the customs union which would be disastrous for jobs, investment and living standards.
“Kezia Dugdale must make clear whether Scottish Labour MPs will stand up for our membership of the single market or sign up with the Tories.”
The Scottish Greens criticised Labour for holding the launch at a defence contractor, Leonardo Airborne and Space Systems, in Edinburgh.
MSP Andy Wightman said: "Choosing a warfare systems developer as their backdrop shows Labour lack vision and are slow to support the jobs of the future Scotland needs.”
New figures from the UK Department for International Trade showed Scotland had the most foreign direct investment projects in the UK outside London and the South East in 2016/17.
The UK saw 2200 projects creating or sustaining 107,000 jobs.
Scotland had 183 schemes, up 69 per cent on 2015/16, creating 5,500 new jobs and safeguarding 3,050 others.
International Trade Secretary Liam Fox said: “These results are great news for Scotland. As world leaders across a range of sectors including life sciences, oil and gas and financial services, it’s great to see foreign investors recognising the country’s excellence.”
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