Protect Retail Workers from Abuse, Threats and Violence

Conference notes the new legislation to protect shop workers from violence, threats and abuse introduced in Scotland in August 2021. This law created a specific offence for  abusing, threatening or assaulting a retail worker.  

Conference also notes that the Westminster Government has introduced new provisions to protect retail workers in England and Wales. As a result assaulting those providing a public service will now be classed as a statutory aggravating factor during sentencing.  

Although this is a positive development in the campaign to protect retail workers, Conference is disappointed that retail workers in Northern Ireland are not covered by specific legal protections.  

Conference firmly believes that all retail workers deserve legal protection from abuse, threats and violence. Effective legislation must be passed in Northern Ireland to protect retail workers and make it clear abuse is not part of the job.  

Conference calls on the Northern Ireland ICTU to:

1. Publicly support Usdaw's 'Freedom From Fear' Campaign.  
2. Campaign for a Northern Ireland Government to take action and implement effective legislation which protects retail workers against abuse, threats and violence.   
3. Make the case to employers to protect retail workers and enforce zero tolerance policies in stores.