“BUILDING back better’ has become a cliche, but the idea remains powerful. 

How can we turn this crisis into a moment of real change for workers in Wales? 

This question will be at the heart of our debates this week at our first Wales TUC Congress since 2018.

As you’d expect, the pandemic is referenced in almost every motion. 

Health and safety has been at the forefront of union campaigning over the last 15 months. 

During that time the extent to which the state’s enforcement powers have been hollowed out has been exposed. 

This needs to be addressed, and strong social partnership working is key. 

Where unions and employers worked with government, like in our NHS, we saw much better outcomes for workers than in sectors like outsourced social care. 

Linked to this, inequality is an issue for every union. The unfair impact of the pandemic on BME workers is something that requires sustained attention and can never be forgotten. 

As a movement we need to challenge ourselves to do more to end the prejudices that caused this, and we need to speak truth to power — especially to employers and government. 

We also need to amplify BME workers’ voices. Racism manifests itself in everyday things like shift allocations, being overlooked for a promotion despite being more qualified, or simply finding it easier to get at a job with an agency than with your local council, even though the latter offers better pay, terms and conditions. 

If we don’t listen to BME workers’ lived experiences we won’t even understand what racism at work really is. 

Income inequality is the driver behind many of the issues we’ll be debating. The Wales TUC exists to improve the economic and social conditions of workers in Wales, regardless of if they are currently in a job or not. 

This is especially important during a period of rising unemployment, but also because there are tens of thousands of insecure jobs in Wales. 

That hard line between employment and unemployment is getting blurrier and putting more people at risk of exploitation. 

Wales needs a recovery which recognises how much our labour market has changed. It needs one overarching goal: to improve job quality. 

There is so much policy debate in Wales around support for homegrown businesses, opportunities for small firms and entrepreneurship, and a growing distrust of foreign investment. 

But much of this focus is misplaced. Wales has spent many years trying to fine-tune its economy, and for what? 

We’ve not tackled inequality, poverty or the growth in bad, insecure jobs. 

Our congress will shift the debate back to how the state can make a difference to workers’ lives. 

While it may not control levers like employment law, Welsh government invests in workers’ skills, in businesses and tens of thousands of people are employed in the devolved public sector and other organisations that are funded by government. 

Far too often the quality of work issues are overlooked. Employability programmes need to focus on getting people into good — not just any — jobs. 

Public investment in businesses must facilitate trade unionism and therefore secure better labour standards, and our devolved public sector must lead the way. 

We are still some way off this being the reality. On the issue of the climate change emergency, for example, unions are committed to the principle of a just transition. 

We know that many jobs may be displaced and created as we aim for net zero carbon emissions and that the transition could easily worsen inequalities if it is left to the market to determine the outcomes. 

That’s we need government action in this area to have much clearer focus on the implications of change for workers. 

A fairer Wales requires a strengthening of our public services. The role our NHS and social care workers played has been widely acknowledged, but this now needs to result in material recognition for their dedication and service. 

And more broadly, we need a renewed appreciation of the role of universal public services. 

It was our public sector that provided free school meals, the incredible vaccination programme, delivered social security and took over our rail services when the private sector faltered. 

Building back better must strengthen and expand our public services and firmly reject any attempt by the Westminster government of moving backwards to a programme of cuts and austerity. 

Due to the pandemic, for the first time our Welsh Congress will be streamed online on our website and available for all to watch throughout the two days. 

We hope you can join us to be inspired, engaged and hear how we intend to organise and campaign to rebuild a stronger Welsh economy that works for everyone.  

Shavanah Taj is general secretary of Wales TUC.