Safe and affordable rides home for late-night workers

In early July 2023, news reports are shining light on trade unions throughout Scotland and a critical issue. They wish for local authorities to include “safe home policies” as a requirement when licensing business premises.

At the annual Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) youth conference, delegates listened to experiences of young people expected to work unsocial hours but faced with little in the way of safe public transportation. Too often, choices are expensive taxi fares or risky journeys home on foot.

“Employers have a duty of care and we’re calling on them, local authorities and the Scottish government to stand by workers, ensuring they get safely home from their work,” stated a conference attender.

Watch for “safe home policies” to surface in other global cities where there is a lack of workforce access to safe and affordable late-night transportation.