12 July 2004
Work-Life Balance a Priority for Every Worker
Working people are looking to the Government to lead the way to work-life balance, both as an employer and a
policy-maker, Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont said today.
As part of its Work-Life Balance Project, the Government has released a report, Achieving Balanced Lives and Employment.
The CTU is a partner in the project.
The report recognised that work-life balance depended on the fundamentals of decent work being in place – something
unions have been fighting for, Carol Beaumont said.
“Decent work is secure work, with reasonable working hours, good leave provisions, decent pay, supportive workplace
cultures and access to quality, affordable child care.”
Focus groups with union members identified areas where further regulations would improve opportunities for work-life
balance, particularly for low income workers and those in casual and precarious employment.
These included regulating reasonable working hours, better leave provisions, breast-feeding breaks and continuing to
increase the minimum wage.
“Unions continue to bargain for improvements in collective employment agreements that increase work-life balance,” Carol
Beaumont said.
“The fundamental aspects of decent work are common to all New Zealanders regardless of their income and unions are
taking their role in making this a priority issue.”
ENDS