Meetings

NDM6244 David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that, although zero-hours contracts can benefit employers and workers in the freedom and flexibility they can offer, they can also create problems relating to reliability of income, security of employment, employment status and the balance of power between employer and employee.

2. Notes that, for the majority of those employed on zero-hours contracts, this freedom is more illusory than real and, for those who need a minimum number of working hours per week to ensure financial security for their family, life on a zero-hours contract is one of almost permanent uncertainty;

3. Notes that, for those who have had their hours reduced or changed because of a perceived unwillingness to work the hours their employer requires or following the lodging of a workplace complaint, this uncertainty can be coupled with the anxiety that comes from exploitation.

4. Believes that working on zero hours contracts has the potential to:

a) create a life of stress;

b) impact negatively on the management of household budgets;

c) impinge on family commitments;

d) undermine employment rights and relations; and

e) complicate access to tax credits and other benefits, the continued rise of which is a growing concern.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete point 1 and replace with:

Believes that the potential variability of work and earnings as a result of zero hour contracts can be a source of financial instability and stress and that unfair employment terms and conditions can have a negative impact on staff morale and productivity in a way that leads to a poorer quality service.

Amendment 2. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete points 2, 3 and 4 and replace with:

Notes that employment practices are rapidly changing, including an increase in zero hours contracts, self-employment and short-term 'gig' work.

Recognises the work carried out by the UK Government to clamp down on abuses in zero-hours contracts, including the banning of exclusivity clauses.

Welcomes the UK Government's commissioning of the Taylor Review on Modern Employment Practices which will consider the implications of new forms of work on workers' rights and responsibilities.

'Press release - Taylor review on modern employment practices launches'

[If Amendment 2 is agreed, Amendment 4 will be de-selected]

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets that attempts by Plaid Cymru to ban zero hour's contracts in various sectors on five different occasions during the fourth Assembly were voted down by the Labour Welsh Government and Welsh Conservatives.

Amendment 4. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

In point 4, add as new sub-point:

'lead to a poorer quality service.'

Amendment 5. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to ban the use of zero hours contracts in all devolved Welsh public services.

Amendment 6. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Add as new points at end of motion:

Recognises the action the Welsh Government is taking to address the use of zero hours contracts in social care.

Welcomes the work of the Workforce Partnership Council in this area, which led to the publication of the Public Services Staff Commission's principles and guidance on the appropriate use of non-guaranteed working hours arrangements in devolved public services in Wales.

'Principles and Guidance on the appropriate use of non-guaranteed working hours arrangements in devolved public services in Wales'

Amendment 7. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Ensures that the use of zero-hour contracts, including specifying this through any services that are procured, is prohibited in the Assembly.

The item started at 17.15

 

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM6244 David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that, although zero-hours contracts can benefit employers and workers in the freedom and flexibility they can offer, they can also create problems relating to reliability of income, security of employment, employment status and the balance of power between employer and employee.

2. Notes that, for the majority of those employed on zero-hours contracts, this freedom is more illusory than real and, for those who need a minimum number of working hours per week to ensure financial security for their family, life on a zero-hours contract is one of almost permanent uncertainty;

3. Notes that, for those who have had their hours reduced or changed because of a perceived unwillingness to work the hours their employer requires or following the lodging of a workplace complaint, this uncertainty can be coupled with the anxiety that comes from exploitation.

4. Believes that working on zero hours contracts has the potential to:

a) create a life of stress;

b) impact negatively on the management of household budgets;

c) impinge on family commitments;

d) undermine employment rights and relations; and

e) complicate access to tax credits and other benefits, the continued rise of which is a growing concern.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
6	0	42	48

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments were tabled:

 

Amendment 1. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Delete point 1 and replace with:

Believes that the potential variability of work and earnings as a result of zero hour contracts can be a source of financial instability and stress and that unfair employment terms and conditions can have a negative impact on staff morale and productivity in a way that leads to a poorer quality service.

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
32	0	16	48

Amendment 1 was agreed.

 

Amendment 2. Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

Delete points 2, 3 and 4 and replace with:

Notes that employment practices are rapidly changing, including an increase in zero hours contracts, self-employment and short-term 'gig' work.

Recognises the work carried out by the UK Government to clamp down on abuses in zero-hours contracts, including the banning of exclusivity clauses.

Welcomes the UK Government's commissioning of the Taylor Review on Modern Employment Practices which will consider the implications of new forms of work on workers' rights and responsibilities.

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
10	0	38	48

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

Amendment 3. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets that attempts by Plaid Cymru to ban zero hour's contracts in various sectors on five different occasions during the fourth Assembly were voted down by the Labour Welsh Government and Welsh Conservatives.

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
7	6	35	48

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 4. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

In point 4, add as new sub-point:

'lead to a poorer quality service.'

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
32	6	10	48

Amendment 4 was agreed.

 

Amendment 5. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls upon the Welsh Government to ban the use of zero hours contracts in all devolved Welsh public services.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 5:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
13	0	35	48

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 6. Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

Add as new points at end of motion:

Recognises the action the Welsh Government is taking to address the use of zero hours contracts in social care.

Welcomes the work of the Workforce Partnership Council in this area, which led to the publication of the Public Services Staff Commission's principles and guidance on the appropriate use of non-guaranteed working hours arrangements in devolved public services in Wales.

A vote was taken on Amendment 6:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	5	17	48

Amendment 6 was agreed.

 

Amendment 7. Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Ensures that the use of zero-hour contracts, including specifying this through any services that are procured, is prohibited in the Assembly.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 7:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	1	35	48

Amendment 7 was not agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM6244 David J Rowlands (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Believes that the potential variability of work and earnings as a result of zero hour contracts can be a source of financial instability and stress and that unfair employment terms and conditions can have a negative impact on staff morale and productivity in a way that leads to a poorer quality service.

2. Notes that, for the majority of those employed on zero-hours contracts, this freedom is more illusory than real and, for those who need a minimum number of working hours per week to ensure financial security for their family, life on a zero-hours contract is one of almost permanent uncertainty;

3. Notes that, for those who have had their hours reduced or changed because of a perceived unwillingness to work the hours their employer requires or following the lodging of a workplace complaint, this uncertainty can be coupled with the anxiety that comes from exploitation.

4. Believes that working on zero hours contracts has the potential to:

a) create a life of stress;

b) impact negatively on the management of household budgets;

c) impinge on family commitments;

d) undermine employment rights and relations;

e) complicate access to tax credits and other benefits, the continued rise of which is a growing concern; and

f) lead to a poorer quality service.

 

5. Recognises the action the Welsh Government is taking to address the use of zero hours contracts in social care.

Welcomes the work of the Workforce Partnership Council in this area, which led to the publication of the Public Services Staff Commission's principles and guidance on the appropriate use of non-guaranteed working hours arrangements in devolved public services in Wales.

For	Abstain	Against	Total
33	0	15	48

The motion as amended was agreed.