Issue date
BAME communities have been disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 and need specialist advice and support. Wales TUC are proud to be involved in a brand new national multi-lingual helpline which will respond to this demand.

Launching today, the helpline is available from Monday to Friday 10.30 – 2.30. The helpline will provide an accessible first port of call for information on a range of specialist, mainstream and community organisations, with call handlers speaking a range of community languages.

Those looking for help on a number of issues such as; employment & welfare, education, housing, personal safety and health issues can be referred or signposted to a range of mainstream and community organisations for further advice and support.

Wales TUC General Secretary Shavanah Taj said: 

"Many workers in Wales from BME backgrounds have been disproportionately impacted by COVID19, due to a range of long-standing socio-economic factors. A high number of anonymous reports into the Wales TUC whistleblowing site and grassroots community feedback, demonstrated the need for trade unions to play a key role in accessing often hard to reach workers, not covered by union recognition.

More often than not, BME workers are left feeling ostracised, vulnerable, exploited, work zero hours, on precarious contracts faced with bad bosses, unfair and dangerous work practices with no recourse to public funds.

We hope to change this through working with EYST and other organisations involved in this important project. All workers deserve to be safe and protected at work with a strong voice at the negotiating table but to do this they first need to understand how to access their rights at work."

The helpline can be accessed via the following methods:

Helpline number - 0300 2225720

SMS text number - 07537 432415

Website - www.bame.wales