By NIALL CHRISTIE

BOSSES at cafe chain Mooboo Bubble Tea have announced that they have changed their training policy, after pressure from activist groups and politicians.

However, the company remains under scrutiny as questions still remain as to whether they broke any laws before these changes were introduced.

In a statement from Mooboo, the company announced that it had acknowledged a “need to address the recent general public concerns” about their training processes.

The statement added: “We are prepared to implement a new training process of which all trainees will be paid according to our company set levels once the trainee has entered into our training contract.

“All our branches will implement new training procedure with immediate effect to all new trainees.”

The Evening Times revealed last week that the company, who have two stores in Glasgow, required staff to undertake 40 hours of unpaid work before they could be considered for a job.

Bryan Simpson, an organiser for the Better than Zero campaign, who initially highlighted the issue, said: “We are pleased that Mooboo has finally seen sense and is paying its employees fairly.

“However, we would still like some clarity on this new policy and whether it will be retroactive for those who have already been affected.

“Are these workers going to get what they are owed?”

After gaining publicity on social media, the story was brought to the attention of MP Stewart McDonald, who sent a letter to HMRC requesting an investigation into the practises at the two Glasgow sites.

Mr McDonald, MP for Glasgow South, said: “It is to be welcomed that Mooboo have recognised the need for a change in their training practices and that they have committed to paying people in accordance with the law.

“However, there are still outstanding questions over what exactly Mooboo have been up to up until this point and I am not giving up until I get answers.

“I have asked Jane Ellison MP, the Treasury Minister with responsibility for HMRC, to look in to this case.

“I hope she will still do so and determine if Mooboo has been in breach of the National Minimum Wage definition.

“If they have been then that cannot go unpunished.”

An online petition, which currently has almost 40,000 signatures, was started by Better than Zero alongside website 38 degrees after they were informed by several workers in Glasgow that the unpaid training was required.

After the campaign became more prominent, it was revealed that the practise was common to Mooboo stores across the UK.

Mr McDonald added: “I pay tribute to those activists at groups like Better Than Zero and 38 Degrees who have helped bring this issue to the fore.”