8. Debate: The General Principles of the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:16 pm on 15 March 2022.

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Photo of Sioned Williams Sioned Williams Plaid Cymru 5:16, 15 March 2022

Trade unions have made calls for a strategic duty on social partnership and fair work to be added to the Bill, given that it would line up with all the aims of the Bill. They made it clear to us in committee that it was important for specific reference to be made in this Bill, rather than relying solely on the expected social partnership and public procurement (Wales) Bill, as it would reinforce that social partnerships apply across the tertiary education sector. I'm glad, therefore, to hear the Minister reiterate today that which he stated to the committee, that the commission would be subject to the full range of social partnership and fair work duties that will be contained in that legislation, and that he will explore the recommendation on social partnership further. In line with the position of the unions and the committee, Plaid Cymru would urge the Minister to guarantee this by adding this extra strategic duty to the Bill.