Even more draconian employment law changes coming

Even more draconian employment law changes coming

The government has confirmed today that it is considering further changes to employment law, including the contracting out of personal grievances, making temporary and fixed term contracts more flexible and reintroducing a youth minimum wage says Labour’s Associate Labour spokesperson Darien Fenton.

In question time today the Minister of Labour was asked whether the government was considering further changes to employment law, mentioned in her July 2010 Cabinet paper on changes to the Employment Relations Act.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Pansy Wong said that the government was considering these changes and refused to rule out either a move to the contracting out of personal grievances and a return to a youth minimum wage. She also confirmed the government is looking at changes to collective bargaining.

“This is shocking news for wage and salary earners, who are already reeling from the extension of the 90 day trial period to all workplaces, changes to the Holidays Act and Meals and Rest breaks legislation, which will significantly reduce their rights at work,” Darien Fenton said.

“The hearing of submissions on the changes in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill (No 2) and the Holidays Amendment Act have not yet begun, yet the government is already planning further draconian changes.

“I am particularly concerned that the Minister of Labour appears unable to hold out against the influence of the ACT Party in Cabinet, after they overruled her decision to limit the extension of the 90 day bill to workplaces of less than 50 employees.

“Ms Wong’s comments today make it clear that we have only just seen the beginning of this government’s attacks on workers rights.”

ENDS