Introduction

The Convention’s remit is to promote and advocate fair work across the economy and to advise Scottish Ministers on fair work. Our vision is that Scotland will be a leading Fair Work Nation by 2025 where fair work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses and society. The Fair Work Convention began its Inquiry into the construction industry in March 2020. Construction was selected due to the importance of the industry to the Scottish economy, the role it plays in developing critical social and economic infrastructure and a range of concerns around fair work.

The Fair Work Convention established a Construction Industry Inquiry Group (CIIG) to lead the inquiry. The CIIG brings together a range of stakeholders from construction businesses, trade bodies, trade unions, local authorities and the Fair Work Convention.

Objectives of the Construction Inquiry

The Inquiry proceeded over two years with the following key objectives:

(1) to consider the current worker experience and identify key issues and actions required to ensure that fair work is delivered.

(2) to examine the commissioning and procurement process in relation to public sector construction projects and how these can support fair work in the industry.

(3) to strengthen effective voice and to identify effective dispute resolution mechanisms.

(4) to develop recommendations for Ministers, public sector bodies and other industry actors to strengthen fair work.

A key starting point for the inquiry was research on workers’ experience in construction undertaken by the Scottish Centre for Employment Research and the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde. During the inquiry the CIIG also heard evidence from a range of businesses and public, private and third sector organisations with an interest in the construction industry. The inquiry held a range of themed meetings on procurement, skills, equality, Brexit, modernisation of the industry, and rural issues.

The purpose of the inquiry is to identify what can be done to strengthen fair work in the construction industry. Supporting and enhancing fair work will have positive outcomes for the workforce but is also critical to businesses in better delivering effective modernisation and reaching the wider social and economic ambitions of the industry.