Bill Betrays Employers

The Employment Relations Bill as reported back to Parliament betrays the people who create jobs, says Employers' Federation President Robyn Leeming.

"We were told repeatedly that Government was listening, and we were led to expect that there would be substantive changes to the 'lightning rod' issues in the Bill," Ms Leeming said.

"The 'lightning rod' issue that has been foremost in the minds of employers is the undue promotion of union interests at the expense of business development, jobs and growth. This is unchanged.

"It appears that Government has not been listening at all. "The proposed legislation will hurt employers and employees alike. The only beneficiaries of the legislation will be unions.

"Enterprises will become less flexible and will face greatly increased compliance costs.

"The size and complex wording of the Bill means many New Zealanders have not been able to get a grip on what the proposed legislation will mean to them. Those agencies that have attempted to explain its consequences have been subjected to a barrage of criticism by the Government. The Government has also refused to allow input into the changes of wording in the Bill. This is not democracy as New Zealanders want it.

"The danger is that many employers may now have to work out how they can do business with fewer employees, or how they can use more technology instead of employees, or how they can relocate in other countries - simply because the risks and costs of employing are too high.

"These are decent Kiwi employers who want to contribute to their country's economy, but who are being punished for doing so."

Ends

© Scoop Media