Plaid Cymru’s campaigning Leanne Wood today joined a walkout by union members against cuts at the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Headquarters in Cardiff.
Leanne Wood, chair of the PCS Cross Party Group in the Welsh Assembly, said: “UK Coalition Government cuts will have a dramatic impact on the EHRC, not only threatening its future but also ending most of its vital services to the public.
“When we are seeing unprecedented benefit cuts hitting people with disabilities, as well as job losses, the incidences of discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, disability or sexuality will be greater. If an employer has to make redundancies, the risk is that the pregnant woman or the person whose face doesn’t fit is the first out of the door. The EHRC takes up such cases to make sure people are not illegally discriminated against. There is more need now than ever for the services provided at the EHRC.
“My fear, and that of the union, is that individuals may no longer be able to hold employers and public authorities to account for discrimination because these cuts will also effectively end the commission’s legal work. I would urge everyone in Wales concerned about minority and human rights to join the campaign against these cuts to the Cardiff office. The Assembly should do what it can to keep these vital jobs as well,” added Leanne Wood, who is seeking re-election to the Assembly on the South Wales Central regional list.
The UK government has already announced it is withdrawing funding for the EHRC’s helpline and grants programme and the Commission has also decided to close several regional offices, including the Bangor office. These decisions will take effect by next March.
The Commission also plans to more than halve the number of staff from 460 to 200 within 12 months – with many of those remaining being consultants or on short term contracts.
