Helen Kelly's Speech to CTU on “Insecure” Work in NZ

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Thirty percent of New Zealand workers are “under pressure” and in insecure work according to a report from the Council of Trade Unions.

At the Biennial CTU conference in Wellington today council President Helen Kelly many New Zealand workers did not having definite hours of work. This workforce casualisation meant peoples lives were being dominated by work.

Full audio of speeches from Helen Kelly, Sosefina Masoe, a cleaner at the Police College in Porirua, and Maxine Mullen, a bank worker in Levin.

The Report “Under Pressure: Insecure Work in New Zealand” said many workers did not feel valued which was damaging for New Zealand families and communities. Workers were missing out on family time, often weren't able to take sick leave, and worked in dangerous conditions. Workers were fearful of losing their jobs if they stood up for their rights.

Society paid for this through child poverty, increased debt, family instability, and stress, Ms Kelly said.

Ms Kelly said the the union's main resolution was was to establish greater legal protections to promote secure work.

She called for the “hobbit law” and the 90-day employee trial period to be repealed, and universal basic income to be investigated.

You can read a summary of the report here and their press release here.

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ENDS

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