Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Health and safety bill lacks teeth

24 July 2015
Tertiary Education Union - Te Hautū Kahurangi o Aotearoa

Health and safety bill lacks teeth


The government’s proposed new health and safety law will mean people continue to die at work needlessly, says TEU deputy secretary Nanette Cormack.

“Even in tertiary education, which seems like a relatively safe sector to work, we have had two significant health and safety prosecutions in the past year because of dangerous practices,” says Cormack.

The government’s decision to exclude small employers from health and safety requirements will mean workers at many private training establishments and rural education providers will not have the right to protect themselves.

“The new law must allow workers to participate in their own health and safety. Not only is it fair, it is proven to save lives. The best way to safeguard workers is to give them the collective, democratic right to protect themselves,” says Cormack.

“Minister Woodhouse says the bill is about ‘striking a balance’ between safe workplaces and 'unnecessary' red tape for employers. But red tape is never unnecessary if it prevents workplace deaths and allows workers to return home safely to their families.”

“Politicians should not vote for the health and safety bill in its current form,” says Cormack. “The Independent Taskforce Report and Royal Commission following Pike River, both called for much stronger legislation than what the government has announced today.”

ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.