Salmon farming giant Mowi's 'double standards' in treatment of Norwegian and Scots workers
07.01.2024 - 05:59
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Salmon farming giant Mowi has been accused of giving workers in its Norwegian homeland massively better terms and conditions than in Scotland.
The Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), which has seen its membership soar at the Mowi fish processing plant in Rosyth, has accused the company of gross double standards.
A deal in Norway with unions gives staff basic pay equivalent to up to £4 an hour more, protection when sick, generous holidays and flexibility around annual leave. They also get additional pay for overtime and unsociable hours.
In Rosyth, the BFAWU has accused Mowi of refusing to meet or recognise unions. Sarah Woolley, BFAWU general secretary, said the union wants to engage with the firm.
She added: “But we are bitterly disappointed at the lack of engagement by the company and their point-blank refusal to meet us. The information we have uncovered from Norway shows gross double standards in how they treat their Scottish workforce compared to their Norwegian counterparts.
“Norwegian workers, because of the collective bargaining agreement they have in place and agreed with our sister union in Norway, are paid more, have better overtime rates, much higher shift allowance, better sickness pay and better holiday pay.
“Not to mention greater attention paid to the health and safety of the Norwegian workforce. The company needs to recognise us now and allow us to negotiate a deal for the Mowi workforce that is on par with their Norwegian workforce.”
Last week, whistleblower footage of Mowi’s Highland hatchery showed the floor thick with fish faeces. Mowi withdrew one of its sites from an organic certification scheme after secret filming revealed lice-infested fish at its Loch Torridon site.
Mowi said: “We