A GLASGOW MP is bidding to outlaw firms offering unpaid trial shifts for workers.

Stewart McDonald, Glasgow South SNP MP is to put forward a Private Members Bill to the House of Commons this week to ban the practice he has branded “exploitative”.

Earlier this year the Evening Times reported claims Mooboo in Buchanan Galleries was expecting recruits to undertake 40 hours unpaid work with no guarantee of a job at the end of it.

The firm said it was necessary for training of new staff.

Mr McDonald contacted Mooboo and HMRC about the legalities of the practice and minimum wage implications.

He has now decided to seek legal protection for workers by banning unpaid trials altogether.

He said it is common practice in the hospitality sector to work for free before being offered a job

Mr McDonald said: “Unpaid trial shifts are exploitative to workers, particularly young people, students and migrants.

“If people are going to be offered a trial period where they apply their skills in the hope of securing work then they should be paid fairly and properly.”

He said the law is unclear and he wants to make it compulsory for any trail shifts to be paid in full.

The MP added: “My Bill will make it clear that if a trial period is to be offered then the employer must pay up for that period whether or not a full offer of employment is made.

“I very much look forward to working with trade unions, the NUS, employers and colleagues from other political parties in drafting my Bill and ending this exploitative practice within our economy. People trying to secure work deserve to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect - and have full protection of the law to ensure they are not exploited.

He has the support of unions in seeking better conditions and a crackdown on those bosses who want free labour.

Dave Moxham Spokesman for the STUC said: “The STUC has been concerned for some time about the use and abuse of unpaid trial shifts.

“These are highlighted to us almost on a weekly basis to us by workers through the Better Than Zero campaign.

“We look forward to working with Stewart as he brings forward this bill to ensure that trial shifts are no longer used by unscrupulous employers as a source of free labour.”