06 August 2004
CTU Calls on Politicians to Respect Employment and Political Rights
The public attacks on former Labour Department employee Amokura Panoho are an unacceptable threat to her employment and
political rights, Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.
“It is a matter of fundamental human rights that every New Zealander is entitled to exercise democratic and civil
rights, and to fairness in employment processes,” Ross Wilson said. “The public comments today by the Associate Maori
Affairs Minister, John Tamihere, appear to disregard both.”
Trade unionists have had to fight to gain and maintain these rights and we must be vigilant in ensuring that they are
respected, he said.
“In the political heat around the emergence of the Maori Party some people are losing sight of the need to respect not
only these fundamental human rights, but differing views on current political issues.
“Respect for the right to hold and express differing political views is an essential element of civil society,” Ross
Wilson said. “Politicians like John Tamihere should be setting the example.”
ENDS