Ethical employment practices must be at the centre of public projects – Jane Hutt

Ethical employment practices must be at the centre of all publicly funded construction and infrastructure projects in Wales, Finance and Government Business Minister Jane Hutt has said.

Addressing an ‘Ethical Employment Practices in Construction’ event in Cardiff, the Minister set out the next steps to be taken to promote the further deployment of the Employment Practices on Publicly Funded Projects Procurement Advice Note (PAN).

The Procurement Advice Note helps deal with issues of false self employment and the increased use of umbrella payment schemes operating unfair methods of calculating pay and affecting workers rights on construction sites.

A Code of Practice on Ethical Employment in Supply Chains will now be developed as an additional mechanism for tackling the issues of false self-employment and unfair umbrella schemes.  Public sector bodies in Wales, Welsh businesses and suppliers to the Welsh public sector will be expected to sign up to the Code.

In May a programme of training and awareness events will start for public sector clients and business to support the adoption of the PAN.

Jane Hutt said:

“We were the first Government in the UK to take action against Blacklisting, issuing guidance in 2013 to help stamp out this unacceptable practice.  And in March last year I issued a PAN on Employment practices on publicly funded projects to improve the way our workers are treated – fairly and with respect.

“Whilst good progress has been made, there is clearly more to do.  Over recent months, despite collective efforts, I have heard first hand numerous accounts from those working on Construction projects here in Wales who have suffered as a result of poor employment practices.  These are Welsh citizens who are being treated unfairly when working on Welsh public projects.

“This is simply not good enough – ethical employment practices should be at the centre of all publicly funded projects.  That is why we are developing a code of Practice that I expect all public sector bodies in Wales, Welsh businesses and suppliers to the Welsh public sector to sign up to.  By working together we can drive forward improved employment practices and stamp out unfair practices.”