Matt Kerr, Pollok councillor spoke in a poverty debate at the Labour Conference in Dundee.
He called for a bigger pay rise for public sector workers and for action on pay and homelessness
Mr Kerr, who narrowly lost to SNP MP Chris Stephens in Glasgow South West at last year’s General Election, said: “Since when did work not pay.”
He lamented the need for toy banks at Christmas and food banks all year long.
He added: “It shouldn’t be like that. We shouldn’t have to rely on charity for people to have a decent start.
“We all have a right to work and a right to a roof over our heads and to education without debt.
“When the SNP talk about scrapping tuition fees they don’t talk about the massive debts.”
He called for a higher pay rise for public sector staff.
The councillor added: “Public sector workers deserve the 6% pay rise they are asking for. That is the least they deserve. To be told they are getting a below inflation rise is an insult.
“If we had a government in Scotland who prioritised the needs of working people we could do something about it.
“But they choose not to. They are timid and scared.”
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