Mike Hedges Questions Welsh Government on use of ‘Fire and Rehire companies

Mike Hedges Questions Welsh Government on use of ‘Fire and Rehire companies

Speaking from his Senedd Office, Local MS Mike Hedges said… ‘like a lot of my constituents, I abhor the use of ‘Fire and Rehire practices. I would like to see the Welsh government use what ever power and influence it has in its procurement process and within its commission process to avoid using or funding firms which Fire and Rehire’ workers.

I look forward to the new Social Partnership Bill and will support it when it comes to the Senedd; I look forward to the opportunities this will give to reduce the amount of public money going to these bad employers’

Mike Hedges MS – Firstly, I’m sure the Welsh Government finds the use of fire and rehire by companies as abhorrent as I do. Whilst the Welsh Government cannot outlaw it as employment law is not devolved, I’m asking for a Government statement on how companies who carry out this practice can be excluded from Welsh Government contracts, or from contracts with Welsh Government funded bodies, and also, how they can be excluded from grant funding directly or indirectly from the Welsh Government.

Lesley Griffiths – Thank you. In relation to fire and rehire, we’re very concerned by the practice of imposing new terms and conditions on workers through the tactic of fire and rehire, and we’re very clear that that sort of practice is absolutely not consistent with our values of fair work and social partnership. We encourage all employers to resolve difficult and challenging issues through social partnership, but, of course, as you say, it is a matter for the UK Government—they do have reserved powers to end the irresponsible use of fire and rehire practices, and we’ve certainly called upon the UK Government to act in this respect. Certainly, we would expect firms who benefit from public investment to act in a spirit of social partnership, and that absolutely should focus on the well-being of their workers and the wider public interest. Mike Hedges will be aware of the steps that we’re taking to strengthen our approach, through the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Bill, which, when it’s introduced, and if it’s passed, will then introduce new duties in relation to social partnership.