7. What is the Welsh Government doing to promote good employment practices for workers involved in public sector supply chains in Wales? OAQ(5)0523(FM)

A code of practice on ethical employment in supply chains was launched on 9 March. We expect the Welsh public sector to sign up to the code and to help improve the well-being of workers in our supply chains.

I thank the First Minister for that answer. It was heartening to hear of the new code of practice for ethical employment for supply chains to the Welsh public sector because it shows real leadership. But, in launching the code of practice, the Cabinet Secretary said:

‘It is only by working together that we can help deliver a better, and crucially, a fairer deal for workers in our supply chains in Wales and throughout the world.’

So, can I seek assurance from the First Minister that we will try to make this bite deeply in Wales through the long reach of the public sector and other agencies, third sector and others, but also use that reach deep into other nations, including developing nations, so that our supply chains, including those parts that rely on sourcing overseas, do not exploit any worker anywhere?

The code demonstrates the Welsh Government’s commitment to the eradication of illegal and unethical practices that affect workers in Wales and beyond. We need to have the longest reach possible and of course to ensure that this rolls through not just the public sector but private sector as well. So, we will encourage businesses operating in Wales to sign up to the code as well. That will raise and level the playing field for ethically responsible businesses so that those who employ staff legally and ethically cannot be undercut by those who don’t.