WORKERS at the Mowi seafood processing plant in Rosyth are “treated worse than the fish,” according to the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU).

The Norway-based seafood multinational is “a highly-regarded employer” according to its website, whose working environment “sets a benchmark for the industry.”

But the BFAWU report on the firm’s Fife plant outlines a catalogue of health and safety issues ranging from lack of toilets and time-limited toilet breaks, to inadequate canteen facilities with a lack of seating for workers often on 12-hour shifts.

BFAWU, which Mowi has refused to recognise, also found a “lack of mitigation” in place for those working in cold temperatures for long periods and manual handling practices that could be causing injury.

The report argues that the situation is compounded by an absence policy which not only leaves workers at the mercy of management discretion over issuing of sick pay, but ensures anyone taking sick leave loses their £250 Christmas bonus.

BFAWU general secretary Sarah Woolley said: “In our time representing workers at Mowi we have found that members are not treated with the respect and the dignity that every worker deserves.

“We truly hope that our report acts as a wake up call to management.”

BFAWU Scottish organiser Mark McHugh added: “At times it feels like the workers are treated worse than the fish. 

“If there was a functioning and proactive health and safety culture then many of the issues we have raised in the report would have been dealt with — the fact they haven’t been demonstrates how unsatisfactory their approach is.

“The fact is that unionised workplaces are healthier and safer workplaces — and Mowi needs to recognise our union to help improve theirs.”

A Mowi Scotland spokesperson said: “At Mowi, we take ethical employment, including the safety and wellbeing of our workforce, extremely seriously.

“We undergo regular unannounced audits by independent third parties to verify this.

“As such, we do take issue with the points raised by the BFAWU which are false and misleading.

“We continue to listen to feedback from our employees and take our lead from them.“