Coalition In Disarray Over Employment Relations Bill

“The Coalition is in disarray over the Employment Relations Bill,” said ACT leader Richard Prebble today.

“Yesterday, Labour Minister Margaret Wilson issued a statement saying that it is "unnecessary" to change the Employment Relations Bill to accommodate the concerns of contractors.

“Last night, Helen Clark promised the Tourism Industry that she would change the Employment Relations Bill if it hampers how people are employed in tourism. Finance Minister Michael Cullen went even further and contradicted Margaret Wilson, saying ‘the contractor's employment status clause, as it is currently worded, is open to misunderstandings and needs to be made clearer’.”

“Rural mail contractors, owner-drivers, IT contractors, child-care providers and the estimated 100,000 contractors caught by the provisions of the bill need to know what the Government's policy actually is.

“The Oppostion on the Select Committee has repeatedly asked the Minister to appear in front of the Committee to clarify exactly what the Government is trying to do. There is no other issue that is destroying business confidence faster than the impression the Coalition is giving that it has no idea how business in New Zealand is organised and how devastating for jobs and growth the Employment Relations Bill will be,” said Richard Prebble.

Statements attached:

Margaret Wilson:
http://www.newsroom.co.nz/Story.asp?S=20703

Helen Clark: http://www.xtra.co.nz/homepage/business/main/0,1089,Business%3ANews%3A211419,00.html

Michael Cullen: http://www.xtra.co.nz/homepage/news/main/0,1081,News%3APolitics%3A211716,00.html

ENDS

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