Flintshire: 'Troubling picture' of jobs market in response to MS' survey

Research carried out by the Resolution Foundation shows that those under 34 years of age are more likely to face unemployment or precarious work.

In response to this, Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant conducted his own survey with his constituents who fall into that age category and asked them for their thoughts.

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Mr Sargeant has spent the last month asking young people to share their own experience of employment practices during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He has been sharing some of the responses to his campaign in an effort to expose the difficulties young people face locally and bring about positive change.

One respondent told Mr Sargeant that whilst working in the hospitality sector during the pandemic they were discouraged from wearing a mask and told it would “affect tips for female workers”.

Another young person talked about being forced into a fake and exploitative apprenticeship, stating “they didn't even sign me up for the course, so I was just paid half the wage for the same work and got no training.”

The survey found that a common issue many faced was precarious contracts, with one individual applying for a job advertised as 40 hours a week, only to receive an offer of a zero-hours contract, meaning the employer would not be obliged to provide any minimum working hours.

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The impact of poor mental and physical health was also a concern, with one person expressing disappointment at their employer’s failure to properly support them.

Another had their employment terminated due to falling ill with the flu during their probation period.

Mr Sargeant said the survey overall 'painted a troubling picture' for those under 34 seeking employment.

He is now looking for further responses to his survey and will use the information gathered to work with trade unions and the Minister for Social Justice to improve outcomes for young people.

Jack Sargeant said: “We cannot allow for the outcome of the last two years to be that young people end up in even more precarious employment. The pandemic has meant many have faced unacceptable employment practices at the hands of unscrupulous bosses.

PIC: Jack Sargeant MS has carried out a survey into how people under 34 have experienced employment during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The best way for workers to collectivise and achieve improved pay and conditions is to join a trade union and I will be working with the TUC on my campaign going forward.

“Power over employment law sits with the UK Government, and I will be calling on them to look at the evidence as a matter of urgency. You cannot level-up by forcing people into zero-hour contracts and low paid apprenticeships.”

Shavanah Taj, Wales TUC General Secretary added: “Everyone in Wales deserves a decent, secure and well-paid job. But young workers are more likely than other age groups to be in insecure work, in low paid jobs and have fewer opportunities to progress at work.

“The experiences of young workers highlighted in this survey chime with what we have been hearing from unions in a number of sectors during the pandemic.

"Unions are fighting for young workers’ rights every day – for an end to zero hours contracts, for proper sick pay and for workplaces where everyone feels safe and valued. We look forward to working with Jack on his campaign to support young workers."

You can read the Resolution Foundation’s report here.