Day: April 21, 2022

Support for Ukrainian workers in Scotland

Backing for Worker Support Centre

A new service is to be established to offer vital advice and urgent practical support to Ukrainian seasonal horticultural workers in Scotland.

Ukrainian workers play a key role in soft fruit and vegetable production in Scotland, but due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia they are facing a range of concerns about their work, their homes, and their futures.

The new Worker Support Centre, run by Scottish charity JustRight Scotland, will provide key support to workers on these issues as well as immigration advice to enable them to stay and work in Scotland while returning to Ukraine is still unsafe.

The Centre will serve as a first contact for Ukrainian agricultural workers in Scotland, and will be staffed with former horticultural workers who speak Ukrainian and Russian.

Minister for Refugees from Ukraine Neil Gray said: “The new Worker Support Centre, supported by £41,000 from the Scottish Government, will provide guidance, information and, we hope, some peace of mind to those people from Ukraine working in Scotland whose lives are severely impacted by the war at home.

“Agricultural workers from Ukraine play a valued and important role in the production of soft fruit and vegetables in Scotland.

“We know that as a result of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, there are a wide range of pressing and often complex issues which are likely to be of great concern, and it is essential that they receive support to navigate these.”

Project advisor for JustRight Scotland Caroline Robinson said: “This Worker Support Centre follows models used around the world to offer temporary migrant workers advice and support in times of crisis.

“In countries from Canada to Germany temporary migrant workers are offered a similar service – this support can help prevent workers ending up in situations of human trafficking and is an important step forward for Scotland.”

Of those granted a Seasonal Worker visa in the UK in the year ending June 2021, 74% were Ukrainian nationals.

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Edinburgh Remakery celebrates outstanding achievement with Queen’s Award for Enterprise success

A vibrant social enterprise based in Leith’s Ocean Terminal has won one of the UK’S most prestigious business accolades, recognising outstanding achievement in social and environmental sustainability, coupled with significant and responsible business growth.

The Edinburgh Remakery, an environmental social enterprise based in Scotland’s capital, has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, recognised for its excellence in Sustainable Development. 

The Edinburgh Remakery teaches and adopts sustainable practices around repair and reuse to prevent valuable materials and resources, such as electronic devices, from going to waste, and reducing pollution and carbon emissions. In this way, the social enterprise aids the urgent need to change the UK’s economy to one that is more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.

Elaine Brown, CEO of The Edinburgh Remakery said:“Receiving the Queens Award for Enterprise is an amazing achievement for us. We’re delighted to receive this recognition for our work in sustainability, and it is a great testament to the role of social enterprises in creating positive change in our communities.

“Putting people and planet first is at the heart of our operations, and this award is a triumph for the circular economy and its vital role in helping Edinburgh and the UK hit their ambitious net zero targets, ending waste and pollution, and helping people to Waste Less, Live More.” 

In 2021, the Edinburgh Remakery collected 39 tonnes of electronic waste collected from businesses and individuals across the UK, 352 people were taught repair and reuse skills to help them mend and extend the life of their belongings, and 412 free electronic devices were gifted to people in need across Edinburgh to tackle digital poverty and social isolation.

Now in its 56th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards Emblem for the next five years. The Edinburgh Remakery is one of 31 organisations across the UK to be awarded recognition in Sustainable Development. 

The Edinburgh Remakery team will head to Buckingham Palace next month to formally receive their Queens Award for Enterprise.

This year, 232 businesses representing every part of the United Kingdom and a range of sectors have been recognised by Her Majesty The Queen on her birthday as among the best in the country.

Awards have been won in the categories of:

  • International Trade (141 winners)
  • Innovation (51)
  • Sustainable Development (31)
  • Promoting Opportunity (9)  

Small Business Minister Paul Scully said: “This country is renowned for its entrepreneurial achievements and there is no greater showcase for it than The Queen’s Awards. It’s vital we celebrate the success of our businesses and recognise the contributions they make to communities across the country.

“I congratulate this year’s winners for their hard work and commitment over the last year and I wish them every success for the future.”