Chancellor’s short-time working scheme is a significant step forward says Wales TUC

Responding to the chancellor’s statement today (Thursday) announcing a winter protection plan for workers and the economy, Wales TUC General Secretary, Shavanah Taj said:

“Unions have been pushing hard for continued jobs support for working people. We are pleased the Chancellor has listened and done the right thing.

“This scheme will provide a lifeline for many firms with a viable future beyond the pandemic.

“But there’s still unfinished business. Unworked hours under the scheme must not be wasted. Governments must work with business and unions to offer high-quality retraining, so workers are prepared for the future economy. We’ll be talking to the Welsh Government too about how they can maximise the opportunities for workers on the scheme.

“And we’ll be looking closely at the details to make sure there are strings attached.

“The UK Government should target help at industries facing a tough winter, and provide more targeted support for families most at risk of hardship and debt.”

On the further action now needed, Shavanah Taj said:

“We must use this period of protection to make the economy more resilient, equitable and to plan a strong green recovery. With Covid cases on the rise again, the UK Government must provide enforcement bodies with the resources they need to make sure all workplaces are safe and we’re working with the Welsh Government’s new Health and Safety Forum so that all possible steps are being taken here to support enforcement activity.

“The Welsh Government also needs to play its part in making sure that their economic recovery plan is built around ensuring that support to businesses is tied to fair working practices through a strengthened and robust Economic Contract with employers”

Mae Cynllun Cefnogi Swyddi’r Canghelloryn gam sylweddol ymlaen medd TUC Cymru

Wrth ymateb i ddatganiad y Canghellor heddiw (dydd Iau) yn cyhoeddi cynllun diogelu gweithwyr a’r economi ar gyfer y gaeaf, dywedodd Ysgrifennydd Cyffredinol TUC Cymru, Shavanah Taj:

“Mae undebau wedi bod yn pwyso’n galed am gymorth swyddi parhaus i bobl sy’n gweithio. Yr ydym yn falch bod y Canghellor wedi gwrando a gwneud y peth iawn.

“Bydd y cynllun hwn yn gymorth mawr i lawer o gwmnïau sydd â dyfodol hyfyw y tu hwnt i’r pandemig.

“Ond mae busnes anorffenedig o hyd. Ni ddylid gwastraffu’r oriau lle nad ydy gweithiwr yn gweithio. Rhaid i’n llywodraethau weithio gyda busnesau ac undebau i gynnig ailhyfforddi o ansawdd uchel i baratoi gweithwyr ar gyfer economi’r dyfodol. Byddwn yn siarad â Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd am sut y gallant fanteisio i’r eithaf ar y cyfleoedd i weithwyr ar y cynllun.

“A byddwn yn edrych yn fanwl ar y manylion i sicrhau bod llinynnau ynghlwm.

“Dylai Llywodraeth y DU dargedu cymorth at ddiwydiannau sy’n wynebu gaeaf caled, a darparu cymorth wedi’i dargedu’n well i’r teuluoedd sydd fwyaf tebygol o brofi caledi a dyled.”

O ran y camau pellach sydd eu hangen yn awr, dywedodd Shavanah Taj:

“Rhaid i ni ddefnyddio’r cyfnod gwarchodedig hwn i wneud yr economi’n fwy gwydn a tecach, ac i gynllunio adferiad gwyrdd cryf. Gydag achosion Covid ar gynnydd eto, rhaid i Lywodraeth y DU roi i gyrff gorfodi’r adnoddau sydd eu hangen arnynt i sicrhau bod pob gweithle yn ddiogel ac rydym yn gweithio gyda Fforwm Iechyd a Diogelwch newydd Llywodraeth Cymru fel bod pob cam posibl yn cael ei gymryd yma i gefnogi gweithgarwch gorfodi.

“Mae angen i Lywodraeth Cymru hefyd chwarae ei rhan i sicrhau bod eu cynllun adfer economaidd yn seiliedig ar sicrhau bod cymorth i fusnesau ynghlwm wrth arferion gwaith teg drwy Gontract Economaidd cryfach a chadarn gyda chyflogwyr.”