24 February 2006
Protections needed for vulnerable workers
The Council of Trade Unions says that vulnerable workers such as commercial cleaners need the full protections of the
Employment Relations Act when their employment situation changes due to the sale or transfer of a business.
Parliament last night began debating the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which seeks to strengthen provisions for
certain vulnerable workers when a business is sold, or work contracted out.
"The changes proposed will bring a fair deal to vulnerable workers, and give effect to Parliament's original policy
intent when it first addressed this issue in 2004," said Ross Wilson, CTU President.
"The Minister of Labour has moved quickly to remedy this unintended problem in the Employment Relations Act," said Ross
Wilson. "The CTU acknowledges the support the Progressive Party, the Green Party and the Maori Party has given to Labour
to see this through to select committee."
ENDS