CTU MEDIA RELEASE
01 June 2006

New Research Shows Danger of National’s 90-Days No Rights Bill

New statistics that show close to 300,000 workers every three months would be exposed under National’s 90-day no employment rights plan demonstrates the far reaching implications of their employment Bill, the Council of Trade Unions said today.

Statistics New Zealand’s Linked Employer Employee Data, released last week, states that every three months 297,120 employees begin work with a new employer.

“This means that for every one of National’s 90-day periods, nearly 300,000 New Zealanders would be exposed to unfair sacking,” said Carol Beaumont.

“The implications of National’s plan are far reaching. Some workers, such as those in casual and season work, will experience a rolling no-rights period, as they go from job to job in seasonal, short term or casual work.”

“Statistics New Zealand’s analysis shows us that agriculture, forestry and fishing has the highest worker turnover per three month period. These workers will have a particular exposure to unfair sacking on a recurring basis.”

“Unionists in Auckland picketed Wayne Mapp’s electorate office this morning, and CTU Unions Auckland will be raising awareness in the public every week in the coming months leading up to the select committee’s consideration of National’s Bill, the Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill.” Union actions are planned in most other cities, Beaumont said.

ENDS

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