Shop workers and other such workers dealing with the public are often assaulted and the law seems to be taking it lightly. This could soon change because a new bill will be placed in the Parliament of Scotland that advocates tough penalties for people who assault these workers.

Hugh Henry, a member of the Scotland Parliament plans to bring The Workers (Aggravated Offences) Bill, a draft of which will be ready in 2010 mid. Most of the registered employee unions like USDAW, CWU, ASLEF and many others are supporting this move.

The aim of the bill is to recognise the assault against the shopworkers as aggravated crime. This is already done in case of frontline workers, the ones providing emergency services. The USDAW is also campaigning for bringing in such a bill in England and Wales.

John Hannett, USDAW General Secretary is of the view that assault against shopworkers is quite common and there has been some progress in providing protection to these workers but it is not enough. Survey has shown that one in ten workers is assaulted while at work. They are supporting the efforts of Henry to bring the new bill as law through the Scottish Parliament. Further they want a similar law in England and Wales to protect the shop workers from possible abuse.

The Emergency Workers Act 2005 imposes a tough penalty for assault on workers providing emergency services. The present bill promoted by Henry wants the same punishments to be implemented in case of other workers too. Henry feels that this is important because not enough protection is being provided to workers who are dealing with the public on a day-to-day basis.

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