Exciting news for seasonal workers!
Today, the Worker Support Centre (WSC), community interest company that supports migrants in Scotland who are on the Seasonal Worker Visa (Temporary work), has successfully launched its services offering free, impartial, and confidential information about workplace right, support and advice.
The support work conducted by the WSC provides an evidence base to inform the development of law and policy to improve labour standards in the agricultural industry in Scotland. Through pro-active outreach and engagement work the WSC reaches temporary migrant workers in agriculture, offers support, and helps provide information to ensure their stay in Scotland is as productive and enjoyable as possible and that they are not at risk of abuse or exploitation.
Caroline Robinson, an independent expert on labour exploitation, founder and advisor to the WSC says:
“This service fills a huge gap in support for seasonal migrant agricultural workers in Scotland. The Worker Support Centre draws on best practice from services offered to seasonal migrant workers around the world. We’re proud that our services are both led by former workers, native language speakers of the people we help, and are tailored to fit the needs of this unique group of migrants.”
Back in 2022, the WSC was formed as a project under the legal charity, JustRight Scotland (JRS). During this period, the WSC helped horticultural workers on the Seasonal Worker visa in Scotland to access information, support, and advice. This service has now transitioned to the next stage and the WSC has become a standalone organisation, funded by Scottish Government. The WSC conducts outreach, led by multi-lingual Outreach Support Workers, and offers support to all workers on the Seasonal Worker visa (SWV). The WSC is unique in both offering support and linking to high level policy change outcomes. In this way it can contribute to the national and global debate on how to support workers on temporary migration programmes to protect them from the risks of human trafficking for labour exploitation.