Written question WQ82852

We are using the powers, policy levers and influence we have to progress the recommendations of the Fair Work Commission, whilst recognising the world of work continues to change.

We established the Social Care Fair Work Forum and its associated working groups which seek to improve working conditions in social care. Delivering the Forum is a key recommendation of the Fair Work Commission and we are using it to inform our approach to delivering our commitment to pay social care workers the Real Living Wage.

Workplace health and safety has been radically altered by coronavirus and we responded to this by creating the national Health and Safety Forum. This has brought together trade unions, the main employer bodies and the relevant enforcement agencies to share their work and collective experience in helping to keep workplaces safe.

We have teamed up with our social partners to deliver a campaign to strengthen knowledge and understanding of workplace rights and responsibilities. Linking into the campaign, our work with Acas has seen them deliver additional free digital briefing sessions for employers and workers in Wales. This picks up on key recommendations to improve knowledge of rights, the ability of workers to pursue their rights, and to work with UK agencies and others on the same.

Working across the Welsh Government, we are using levers such as the Economic Contract and the Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains to encourage fair work practices. We are strengthening the social partnership approach as a key mechanism through which we can make workplaces fairer, safer and better for all. We have consulted widely on a draft Social Partnership and Public Procurement Bill, which, if passed, will introduce new social partnership, socially responsible procurement and fair work duties.

Finally, in line with the Fair Work Commission recommendations to influence in the non-devolved space, we continue to call on the UK Government to bring forward its promised Employment Bill and to commit additional resources to enforcement, so that workers have the statutory rights and protections they deserve.