Nine charities and trade unions have sent a joint letter to First Minister John Swinney MSP, calling on the Scottish Government to use today’s Programme for Government to deliver on its promise: National Housing Standards for people who work across Scotland picking fruit and vegetables for our tables.
Many of these people live on-site in caravans and mobile units provided by their employers, but charged to workers. Despite accommodation costs reaching around 20% of people’s salaries, WSC research has found this housing falls outside national housing law and goes largely unregulated. The result, for too many people living in Scotland today, is unsafe and squalid living conditions: overcrowding, damp, mould, and steep charges that eat into already low wages.
The letter whose signatories include the Worker Support Centre, the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), Shelter Scotland, Focus on Labour Exploitation, the Work Rights Centre (WoRC), Solidarity Across Land Trades (SALT), the Workers’ Observatory and the Poverty Alliance, welcomes the Scottish Government’s commitment made in November 2025 to close this gap, and urges swift, visible action.
The Scottish Government has already done much of the groundwork: detailed research, direct engagement with workers, and a public commitment to change. What’s needed now is delivery. This is a chance for Scotland to become a country that welcomes every worker, and where all workers can live in dignity and security.
We will update our supporters as the Scottish Government responds. If you want to add your voice to this campaign, get in touch today: support@workersupportcentre.org.uk