Members and supporters of Cymdeithas yr Iaith have met with Councillor Huw George today (3rd of February) to call on Pembrokeshire County Council to respect the Welsh language. The news comes after a social worker job was advertised in English only - an advert condemned as 'demeaning' to the Welsh language and to speakers by campaigners.
One of the campaigners Meurig Jones:
"Having met with Huw George we all still feel that there isn't a clear consensus about the language within the County Council. More than that, there is no clear strategy or vision for the Welsh language - nor any apparent intention to prioritise the Welsh language."What we get from the Council in terms of a Welsh language service is minimal – no more than a few crumbs. 'Keep clear' signs on doors were in English only, not all their main reception staff speak Welsh, and the Welsh on some signs is incorrect. These are just a handfull of examples, but they're a clear indication of the Council's attitude.”
In their letter to Chief Executive, Bryn Parry-Jones; Council Leader, Jamie Adams; and Cabinet spokesperson for the Welsh language, Huw George, Cymdeithas yr Iaith calls on the Council to ensure:
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That all vacancies within the Council are advertised bilingually, and job descriptions are published in Welsh
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That job descriptions and training for new staff inform them of the linguistic context of the county;
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That job vacancies will be advertised as Welsh essential from now on, and this is done immediately with jobs where staff come into contact with the public.
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That staff receive support and encouragement to take Welsh lessons or training and that they can do this during working hours
Cymdeithas yr Iaith did not feel that the Council's response suggests they are going to address these issues fully.
Bethan Williams of Cymdeithas yr Iaith added:
"Although it is this job advert that has brought to public attention the Council's attitude towards the language, it is clear that a complete change is needed. We want a commitment from the county council that they intend move towards making Welsh the language of work.
"The County Council has a chance to show they take the language seriously by acting immediately on the four points raised in our letter."
Letter in full:
Members and supporters of Cymdeithas yr Iaith in Pembrokeshire call on Pembrokeshire County Council to re-advertise the Social Worker post for children and young people, noting that the Welsh language is essential for the role. The original job description suggests that the council see the Welsh language as a language for some people in a certain areas raised concerns that some children adn young people would not receive the support and care service in Welsh because they live in area is not considered to be one where Welsh is spoken.
Since the job description was drawn to media attention, the English-only advertisement has been updated and there is no reference at all to the Welsh language. We understand that the advertisement will remain like this until the new wording has been created - and there is no firm date for that.
The job advertisment is part of a website that promotes Social Care work in Pembrokeshire and we believe that the Council should make it clearl that the Welsh langugae is an importnat part of life in Pembrokeshire To ensure this, and to show that the Council is taking the language seriously - by recognising it as a language for all residents of the county rather than just a matter of courtesy we ask that:
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All vacancies within the Council are advertised bilingually, and job descriptions are available in Welsh
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That job descriptions and training for new staff give the lionguistic context of the county;
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That vacancies from now on will be advertised with the requirement that the language is essential, and this is done immediately with jobs where staff come into contact with the public.
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All staff receive support and encouragement to take Welsh lessons or training and that they can do this during working hours