Zero hour contracts must go

The exploitation of workers via zero hour contracts has touched a nerve in New Zealand, so much so that the government is being forced to look at ways to curb employers’ misuse of staff.

But the planned tinkering at the edges that the government is talking about is not enough for advocacy group Closing the Gap.

“While we commend Mr Woodhouse for looking to eradicate the harshest elements of these contracts, we would prefer that such employment options were banned altogether,” Says spokesperson Peter Malcolm.

“Employers and their champions often talk about the need for flexibility, but that doesn’t work when flexibility is a one way street. What about workers? They should have the right to flexibility too. They should be able to take work offered elsewhere and refuse shifts without penalty but that is not the reality.

“Not knowing how many hours you will be working week to week makes it near impossible to budget or plan for childcare, and there’s no holiday pay or sick leave.

“The social consequences of unsecure employment need to be recognised alongside the economic impact. These contracts make life incredibly stressful for workers who are often afraid to turn down work even when it’s inconvenient because it may jeopardise future hours.

“Every October New Zealanders celebrate the achievement of the eight hour working day on Labour Day, but that’s not very relevant to many kiwis now. The idea of eight hours’ work, rest and play has been swallowed by the pursuit of profit, and when all the power lies with the employer ordinary New Zealanders suffer.

“Eradicating zero hour contracts would be a step in the right direction towards a more egalitarian New Zealand that offers quality of life to all its citizens.”

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