Calls have been made to support thousands of seasonal tourism workers in Wales over fears they could miss out on the economic measures to help staff hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
In North Wales the Covid-19 outbreak has halted the crucial tourism and hospitality sectors just as the season was gearing up for the busier spring and summer months.
A vast array of support has been announced by chancellor Rishi Sunak and the Welsh Government to support businesses and workers.
One of those is the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - where the 海角视频 Government pays 80% of the wages of workers not needed due to the crisis.
But thousands of seasonal workers do not qualify as they were not employed by February 28 and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar is urging both the Welsh Government and the 海角视频 Government to take action to address this.
Raising the matter with the First Minister, Mark Drakeford AM, the Conservative AM said: “As you will be aware there are many people in North Wales who rely on seasonal work in the tourism industry to financially support themselves and their families throughout the year.
“Many of these individuals will not have been employed by the 28 February and therefore do not qualify for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. As a result there will be families who will struggle financially and the whole North Wales economy will be disproportionately impacted by the lower spending this causes.
“Given the significance of the tourism industry in Wales, what plans do you have to support those seasonal workers and what consideration has the Welsh Government given to extending the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to include those who can provide evidence of a history of seasonal working?”
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In response the First Minister said: “The gap in the job retention scheme is a gap that only the 海角视频 Government can plug.
"But I will be very happy indeed to make sure that that point is conveyed to people who are responsible for the scheme.”