Labour has significantly upped the stakes on new ideas generation for the future of work and good jobs, the Council of Trade Unions said today.

CTU President Richard Wagstaff said that since the global financial crisis, New Zealand economic conditions had improved, but the benefits had been very unevenly distributed.

“For many New Zealand workers, their jobs are insecure and low paid,” Richard Wagstaff said.

“This doesn't have to be the case. A genuine commitment to improving the quality of work is the first step, and this needs to be followed up by smart ideas to achieve it. Labour’s proposals over the weekend are well considered and have huge potential.”

“CTU research in 2013 indicated that one third of workers are in insecure jobs. Improving job security, significantly increasing the numbers of workers being able to problem solve and negotiate collectively, investing in skills and concrete steps for a just transition are all welcome.”

“So too are proposals to better support workers whose jobs are currently precarious, such as the sensible call to abolish secondary tax, which punishes low income workers with more than one job.”

Richard Wagstaff said that a clear commitment to addressing the gender pay imbalance from Labour was very welcome, and he called on all parties in Parliament to adopt the pay equity principles negotiated recently by business, unions and government negotiators without delay.

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