8. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Fair Work: Annual progress update

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:08 pm on 29 March 2022.

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Photo of Jack Sargeant Jack Sargeant Labour 5:08, 29 March 2022

Diolch yn fawr, Deputy Presiding Officer. Could I commend the Minister for the work she has done in this area, not just as a Minister or Member of the Senedd, but of course in her previous role as a trade unionist? And I put on record my proud membership of Unite the Union, a community union, here today.

I did listen with interest when you mentioned a shorter working week in your statement. Perhaps it's time for a wider conversation on that, and of course the Petitions Committee will be undertaking an inquiry into that, and we would certainly like to hear your views around that. But I want to raise the example that I raised last week in the Chamber, where a young woman, working in the hospitality sector told me, and again, I quote, that she would get more tips if she didn't wear a mask. I simply can't comprehend this. Who on earth thinks that's an acceptable thing to say? It's an absolute disgrace.

So, Minister, 'How do we empower young workers?' is my question. I, of course, know many of these powers do sit with the UK Government and colleagues will be well aware today, I'm sure, of my feelings towards the competence of the UK Conservative Government in this field, but having said that, what can we do, working with the powers we do have in Welsh Government, working with our trade union colleagues, to ensure that young workers are empowered and protected?