Plaid Cymru is calling on the Welsh Government to back its bid to ban the use of zero-hours contracts by local authorities.
The Party is tabling an amendment at the Report Stage of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Bill to stop their use by councils or in service contracts issued by local authorities. Plaid Cymru has previously tabled amendments to this Bill.
Party of Wales Housing spokesperson Jocelyn Davies said that although Labour Assembly Members members had previously voted against a similar amendment, she hoped for a rethink because so many of its London-based party chiefs had spoken out publicly against such contracts over recent months.
Jocelyn Davies, who represents South Wales East, said:
“It’s time action was taken to stop the exploitation of workers through zero hours contracts.
“It is not acceptable that individuals are tied to contracts that offer no guarantee of work from one day to a next, and we should be actively discouraging their use.
“The First Minister has told us that zero-hour contracts pose a risk to Welsh employees, and that he will look to see what can be done to reduce their use. Now is the time for action.
“We have heard reports that some Welsh local authorities are planning to use zero-hour contracts to staff social services and care homes. This runs the risk of undermining standards and morale. We cannot allow these exploitative contracts to be used as a means of cutting costs of low-paid workers.
“Plaid Cymru believes that people must be given a fair return for their work, and that’s why we are tabling this important amendment. I hope it will gain the support it deserves.”
