UK workers' rights bill ‘undermines devolution', Senedd
But the Plaid Cymru politician expressed serious concerns about powers in the bill for UK ministers to override decisions made by the Welsh Government.
He told the Senedd: 'We are seeing provisions that encroach on the ability of this [Welsh] Government and this place to legislate on behalf of the people of Wales.'
Mr Fletcher said: 'In the same way the Welsh Government would've opposed such a power grab in the days of a Tory government, I would hope they would do exactly the same now.'
Peter Fox, who chairs the health committee, expressed similar concerns, saying: 'The Welsh Government has a long-standing commitment to promote fair pay in the social care workforce, yet has not brought forward its own bill.
'The effect of this choice is to severely limit the opportunities for stakeholders in Wales to be involved in the legislative process and for the Senedd to examine the policy in detail.'
Warning of a £5bn cost to businesses, his Conservative colleague Altaf Hussain said his party would vote against providing consent to the employment rights bill.
He told the Senedd: 'Although the intentions behind this legislation appear commendable, I am concerned about the significant burden it will impose on businesses across the UK.'
Jack Sargeant, who is minister for fair work in the Welsh Government, said the bill will be the single biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation.
Mr Sargeant told Senedd members: 'It enhances employment rights, it strengthens enforcement and it removes unnecessary restrictions on trade unions.'
He agreed with Ms Blythyn, one of his predecessors as minister: 'I do note some of the concerns from some members in the contributions today but we do believe it's very much in the best interest of the social care sector and social care workers in Wales.'
Senedd members voted 27-13 in favour of the LCM on July 15, with Plaid Cymru abstaining.
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