STRESS is the greatest hazard for workers in Wales, with social care among the highest-risk sectors, TUC research revealed today.

More days are lost to work-related ill health in Wales than in all of the rest of Britain, warn TUC Cymru researchers.

In a new report, they say that 53 per cent the country’s health and safety work representatives believe stress to be the main hazard experienced in work. 

Bullying and harassment comes the second, with 47 per cent reporting such problems.

Researchers blamed high levels of casual, temporary and low-skilled and poorly paid jobs, along with a predominance of micro and small enterprises and agricultural work

They said that these all contribute to Wales’s work health and safety outcomes, as does the country’s legacy of heavy industry.

The number of days lost due to work-related ill health in Wales is estimated to cost the economy £759 million a year.

TUC Cymru general secretary Shavanah Taj said the research “demonstrates that, for too many people in Wales, work is the cause of ill health.

“Only around one-third of workers in Wales think work affects their mental and physical health positively.

“It is particularly shocking that there are increasing reports of social care workers being exploited by bad employers and treated as modern-day slaves.

“That is why TUC Cymru welcomes the UK government’s decision to launch a new fair work agency under the new employment laws which will be a powerful new force to tackle worker exploitation alongside trade unions.

“What is more, the updated employment law will give new energy and support to trade unions. That is good, because our research is clear — workplaces with unions are safer and healthier for workers.

“It is very disappointing that certain political parties have rejected these changes and voted against the Employment Relations Bill. They, clearly are content for Welsh workers to face conditions which pose a risk to their health, day in, day out.”

Social care was identified as among the most stressful types of work across Britain by polling earlier this year.

A survey by Ciphr in April found that one in six employees in service sectors reporting feeling stressed at work every day.

Seven in 10 identified at least one aspect of work that exacerbated their stress level.