12 July 2004

Work-Life Balance a Priority for Every Worker

Working people are looking to the Government to lead the way to work-life balance, both as an employer and a policy-maker, Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

As part of its Work-Life Balance Project, the Government has released a report, Achieving Balanced Lives and Employment. The CTU is a partner in the project.

The report recognised that work-life balance depended on the fundamentals of decent work being in place – something unions have been fighting for, Carol Beaumont said.

“Decent work is secure work, with reasonable working hours, good leave provisions, decent pay, supportive workplace cultures and access to quality, affordable child care.”

Focus groups with union members identified areas where further regulations would improve opportunities for work-life balance, particularly for low income workers and those in casual and precarious employment.

These included regulating reasonable working hours, better leave provisions, breast-feeding breaks and continuing to increase the minimum wage.

“Unions continue to bargain for improvements in collective employment agreements that increase work-life balance,” Carol Beaumont said.

“The fundamental aspects of decent work are common to all New Zealanders regardless of their income and unions are taking their role in making this a priority issue.”

ENDS

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New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

Te Kauae Kaimahi

The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi brings together over 350,000 New Zealand union members in 40 affiliated unions. We are the united voice for working people and their families in New Zealand.

CONTACT NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL OF TRADE UNIONS

• Website - union.org.nz/
• Phone - +64 4 385 1334
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• Physical Address - Level 7, West Block, Education House, 178 Willis St, Wellington.

• Media Contact - huiaw@nzctu.org.nz
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• Postal Address - PO Box 6645, Marion Square, Wellington 6141.

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