9. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Social Partnership: Fair Work: Annual Progress and Priorities

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:03 pm on 28 February 2023.

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Photo of Hannah Blythyn Hannah Blythyn Labour 6:03, 28 February 2023

Diolch. Can I thank Peredur Owen Griffiths for his questions and also his commitment in this area? I know that we have been able to work together in the spirit of partnership very collaboratively on a number of these issues. I think I'll just pick up on the last point first around the Fair Work Commission definition around fair work. Just to clarify, this is the first time we've published a progress report. I think it's something we wanted to do previously, but it's something we've managed to get over the line now. And I particularly think it's important, like I said, that, whereas many of those recommendations have moved forward, the context for it has changed quite drastically on the back of the COVID pandemic, and now the cost-of-living crisis, changes to working patterns and more flexible working opportunities. So, it brings with it more challenges, but I think also if we go for a glass-half-full approach, it brings potentially more opportunities for fair work as well. So, just to pick up on the point that we aren't—. Just to clarify, we're not just accepting that definition now; it's just that it's in that report that's been published today. We accepted that some time ago, the Fair Work Commission definition, and it's something that we've spoken about in the development of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill legislation as well, and that will be in the guidance as very much the definition that Welsh Government supports and wants to disseminate across Wales in terms of that baseline of understanding that fair work, yes, is about pay and conditions, but it's about that broader package as well—like you say, workers' voice, well-being in the workplace, and all those levers that we can use. 

On how we use those sectoral agreements, we have the most levers currently within the public sector, but I think what the work in the retail sector has demonstrated to us is, actually, the challenges faced by workers but also from the employer business side in terms of the sustainability of some sectors in Wales. And I think you could probably look at hospitality as well as part of that. So, actually, better sector-wide support for workers in terms of sector-wide pay and conditions that actually brings about sustainability and stability for the sector can actually help to get that through. There was a business case for fairer and better work as well, so I’m always happy to update Members as that work progresses. But I think what we’ve done already within retail and social care perhaps offers that model to build on in the future, and actually how we can learn from that and spread that across Wales.