19 March 2014
Government committed to making life worse for workers
Workers in New Zealand will be one step closer to worse employment conditions and less employment rights when the
Employment Relations Amendment Bill passes its second reading. The Bill is due to be debated today.
"These are very significant changes to employment law. The rights of workers to collectively bargain will be
fundamentally compromised and as a result wages will be lower. This Bill weakens protections for workers at the times
they are most vulnerable: when they are trying to get a new job and when their jobs are at risk. Removing the right for
workers to have a tea break is evidence that the Government doesn't care about workers," CTU President, Helen Kelly
said.
"This is a mean-spirited attack on workers and their families. This Government listens to employers but plugs its ears
when workers are speaking. Over 12,000 workers wrote submissions calling on the Government not to make these changes to
employment rights. These voices have not been listened to in any way."
"This law breaches international obligations and is unfair on working people in this country. This Government does not
value the contribution workers make," Kelly said.
ENDS