RELEASE – 28 February 2007

Workforce Auckland endorses Dr Paul Hutchinson’s proposal to extend the transition period for the repeal of the DPEP Act.

Workforce Auckland endorses Dr Paul Hutchison’s proposed amendment to the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion (Repeal and Related Matters) Bill, to extend the transition period for the repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act 1960 (DPEP Act) by up to 2 years.

Workforce Auckland, which has consistently backed the repeal of the DPEP Act, operates the largest sheltered workshop in New Zealand, is a significant provider of supported open employment services, and is actively developing other work choices for the disabled. We believe that sheltered employment should and will continue to one of a growing range of opportunities available to disabled New Zealanders.

The repeal of the outdated DPEP Act is in the best interests of the disabled, and will help to dispel the undeserved stigma that has inflicted sheltered workshops.

Our support for Dr Hutchison’s amendment stems from our concern that the system proposed to replace the DPEP Act contains serious flaws. We cannot be confident that these flaws will be remedied in the remaining 4 months of the transition period, given the dismal lack of progress in the nearly 3 years since they were first identified.

If this amendment is adopted, Workforce Auckland hopes that the Government will quickly address the outstanding issues, preferably well before the expiry of the two year extension. The sooner the DPEP Act is history the better.

Timeline

2000/2001 Review of vocational services.

April 2001 Release of the NZ Disability Strategy

12 Sept 2001 Release of Pathways to Inclusion, flagging the intent to repeal the DPEP Act.

18 May 2004 Repeal bill introduced to Parliament. Supporting materials outline a system to replace the DPEP Act.

28 June 2004 Final date for submissions to the Social Services Select Committee. Various submissions highlight flaws in the proposed replacement system.

9 Sept 2004 Meeting of sheltered workshops with MSD and DOL officials. Concerns are raised with officials, who acknowledge these.

21 Oct 2004 Social Services Select Committee hearing. The only disabled and caregivers who attend are from WFA.

18 Nov 2004 Select Committee obtains reporting extension until 31 March 2005; asks officials to undertake more consultation (which didn’t happen).

10 Dec 2004 WFA writes to Hon Ruth Dyson explaining WFA’s position, but reiterating that there are serious flaws with the proposed replacement system.

15 February 2005 Not having received a response to the letter of December 2004, WFA writes to Hon Ruth Dyson pointing out the lack of progress and suggesting that a task force be setup to address the issues.

10 March 2005 Hon Ruth Dyson acknowledges the lack of progress in a speech to the Auckland Disability Providers’ conference. DOL official says that the WFA’s concerns are recognized and will be addressed.

17 March 2005 Hon Ruth Dyson replies to WFA’s letters, noting WFA’s concerns and possible ways to address these.

18 March 2005 Bill returned to Parliament. Select Committee evenly divided.

17 June 2005 Employers’ workshop convened by DOL to discuss the practical concerns. Issues are discussed but not resolved.

Late 2005 MSD contracts VASS and APET to develop a common wage assessment tool, expected to be available by October 2006. WFA stops work on its own wage assessment tool.

17 October 2006 VASS advises that the work assessment tool won’t be available until March 2007, leaving 3 months to complete assessments. WFA recommences development of its own assessment tool.

26 February 2007 DOL inspectors advise that draft guidelines are being considered that should address some of WFA’s concerns, but will not provide details.

30 June 2007 Planned end of the transition period.

Ends

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