SNP candidate to focus on wellbeing of oil and gas workers
04/12/23
Glen Reynolds, SNP candidate for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has welcomed energy industry moves to address the mental health and wellbeing of offshore workers on rotation.
This follows on from a report which showed that 40 per cent of remote rotational workers experienced suicidal thoughts all or some of the time, 37 per cent experienced loneliness and 29 per cent even met the benchmark for a diagnosis of clinical depression.
Mr Reynolds says it is an issue which keeps coming up again and again on the doorstep as he and his campaign team take the SNP message to households across the constituency.
He commented, “Clearly, oil and gas are a major part of the economy in the North East and the sector supports a significant number of jobs. But in conversation with voters, one of the most common topics is how working offshore can have an effect on individuals, on marriages and on family life.
“There are all kinds of reasons why working offshore can impact a person’s state of mind. It has traditionally been a male-dominated environment and we know that men find it hard to open up to each other. By its nature, the job is isolating and the industry itself is cyclical. Analysis has also shown that the COVID pandemic made the job more demanding and increased stress levels.
“That’s why I was very glad to see an industry body like the International Association of Drilling Contractors taking the initiative, earlier this year, by organising a conference in Aberdeen, the publication of a report, and the creation of the Mental Health & Wellbeing Charter which has been supported by some big names in the industry.
“If elected as MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, I look forward to working with companies, trade organisations, and trade unions across the energy sector to do what I can to improve matters.
“The economics around the need to protect jobs and investment in the constituency is clear, but it is great to see that the industry is reflecting on how the wellbeing of this valuable workforce is improved – a theme relayed to me by many constituents. A healthy workforce means a productive and sustainable employee base and that has to be a focus along with what happens on the balance sheet.”