Assembly Member Jayne Bryant, will this evening (Wednesday), join a ceremony organised by UNISON Cymru Wales Black members to mark UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.
UNISON’s Aneurin Bevan branch will host the event at St Woolos hospital, Newport and proceedings will be opened by Mayor of Newport City Council, Councillor David Fouweather. The campaigning public services trade union has organised a series of events and public displays across Wales, including at the civic centres in Haverfordwest, Port Talbot, Neath, Briton Ferry and Glangwilli hospital.
Kebba Manneh, Chair of UNISON Black Members Group said,
“We commemorate this day each year and in 2017, we are taking the events to workplaces across public services in Wales. Whilst it is imperative we remember the sacrifices our comrades made in their struggle for freedom, UNISON Cymru Wales has a role to play with government and other agencies in working together to eliminate modern day slavery whether it be people trafficking, enslavement, or child labour.”
Hugh McDyer, UNISON organiser said,
“Welsh government’s introduction of a code of practice for ethical employment in supply chains presents an opportunity to work with employers to ensure workers are treated fairly and no-one is exploited.”
Notes to editors
- Tonight’s (Wednesday) meeting at St. Woolos hospital is open to all.
- Starting at 18.30 at St Woolos hospital, Newport, NP20 4SZ, refreshments will be available from 18.00.
- The Welsh government published a code of practice in May Ethical Employment in Supply Chainsthat commits public, private and third sector organisations to tackling illegal and unfair employment practices.
- All organisations that receive funding from the Welsh Government, either directly or via grants or contracts, will be expected to sign up to the code. Other organisations in Wales are encouraged to sign up.
- Welsh Assembly leader of the house and government chief whip, Jane Hutt, addressed a fringe event at UNISON’s annual conference in Brighton in June to discuss the code of practice.
Contact
Hugh McDyer, UNISON Area Organiser on 07432735159
Alastair Gittins, UNISON Press Officer on 07816 538397
Photo: Natasha Hirst