Marine Fund Scotland 2022-23: general guidance notes

Fair Work First

Fair Work First is the Scottish Government's policy for driving high quality and fair work across the labour market in Scotland by applying fair work criteria to grants, other funding and contracts.

All applicants to the Marine Fund Scotland 2022-23 are asked to commit to the following Fair Work First criteria in a way that is relevant and proportionate for their organisation:

• appropriate channels for effective voice, such as trade union recognition.
• investment in workforce development.
• no inappropriate use of zero hours contracts.
• action to tackle the gender pay gap and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
• payment of the real Living Wage.
• offer flexible and family friendly working practices for all workers from day one of their employment.
• oppose the use of fire and rehire practice.

If the funding being applied for from the Marine Fund Scotland 2022-23 supports jobs within the funded organisation, the applicant must provide a statement verifying their commitment to Fair Work First and confirming that the statement has been developed in agreement with the workforce. This would not apply where the jobs relate to workers who are a 'share fisherman' who are classed as self-employed by HMRC. In this case, a statement would not be required.

As part of the Bute House Agreement, the Scottish Government will make it a requirement for recipients of public sector grants to pay at least the real Living Wage and provide appropriate channels for effective voice, such as trade union recognition, from summer 2022. The expectation is that this conditionality will apply to applications to the Marine Fund Scotland 2022-23 after this conditionality is introduced, and relevant conditions of grant will be included in the relevant grant offer letters. The Marine Fund Scotland webpages will be updated in advance of the real Living Wage and effective voice conditionality going live.