Constitutional & cost concerns over Holidays Bills

Constitutional and cost concerns over Holidays Bills

Given the Government's announcement that it will not increase holiday entitlements this term, Parliament should therefore reject Matt Robson's (Four Weeks' Annual Leave) Bill, says Business NZ.

Speaking to the Bill in select committee today, Business NZ Executive Director Anne Knowles said passing legislation with an implementation date well into the future, to bind an as yet unelected parliament, was not constitutionally sound.

Ms Knowles said the fact that the select committee was hearing submissions on the Robson Bill at the same time as the Government's Holidays Bill heightened Business NZ's concern that the 4-weeks' provision could be rolled into the new legislation.

"That would mean an additional cost of nearly a billion dollars every year on New Zealand businesses."

She said the provision in the Holidays Bill allowing Christmas and New Year holidays falling at the weekend to be both Mondayised as well as observed on the days themselves would impose a further significant cost that could make service businesses decide to close on public holidays.

"As well as imposing significant new costs, the Holidays Bill is overly complex and prescriptive and will not achieve its aim of simplifying the rules," Ms Knowles said.

© Scoop Media