CTU MEDIA RELEASE 15 November 2007
Business NZ criticism of Holidays Law Exposes Real Agenda
"Business New Zealand's criticism today that the Holidays Act is "not up to the job' exposes their desire to allow
basic rights at work to be traded away," CTU president Helen Kelly said.
"The negotiated "sensible arrangements" that Business New Zealand favour will sound very familiar to workers who
experienced the 'take it or leave it' approach to workplace relations under a National government in the 1990s."
"There are minimum employment standards for a reason. They are there to give all employees a set of work rights around
pay, conditions and safety. These core rights shouldn't be up for debate."
"Payment of time-and-a-half and a day in lieu for working on public holidays acknowledges that holidays are important
social and family occasions and that the sacrifice being made by those who work needs to be compensated for."
"The Holidays Act changes brought in by the government went some way to restoring balance for New Zealand workers and
their families. They are moderate provisions, and should not be traded away."
ENDS