A government report has outlined recommendations for workers in private and public industries to strive for better practice

Third sector workers should be given a living wage, according to a major report on workplace relations and productivity.

The Scottish Government has welcomed the study by an independent group, led by former minister Jim Mather.

There are 30 recommendations in the paper - including better worker representation and encouraging “progressive practices” such as paying the living wage in private companies and in the third sector.

The proposals include the setting up of a new industrial relations body made up of unions and employers.

Youth and women’s employment secretary Angela Constance said: “Scotland has a consistently strong trade union voice dating back decades, something we should be very proud of. I want to see that voice enhanced with the trade union movement continuing to be a key contributor to Scotland’s economic success.”

However, Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser hit back at the plans, saying: “The review proposes the establishment of a new independent body to lead joint work by unions, employers and government, While this may have some merit, do we really need another quango to take this forward?”

Grahame Smith, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress and a member of the Working Together review group, backed the report.

He said: “I hope the findings dispel some of the myths about the role of unions and the nature of industrial relations in Scotland and will provoke action by government, employers and unions that will develop and extend the considerable amount of good practice that already exists.”