Protections needed for vulnerable workers

Friday, 24 February 2006, 12:51 am
Press Release: New Zealand Council of Trade Unions

24 February 2006

Protections needed for vulnerable workers

The Council of Trade Unions says that vulnerable workers such as commercial cleaners need the full protections of the Employment Relations Act when their employment situation changes due to the sale or transfer of a business.

Parliament last night began debating the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which seeks to strengthen provisions for certain vulnerable workers when a business is sold, or work contracted out.

"The changes proposed will bring a fair deal to vulnerable workers, and give effect to Parliament's original policy intent when it first addressed this issue in 2004," said Ross Wilson, CTU President.

"The Minister of Labour has moved quickly to remedy this unintended problem in the Employment Relations Act," said Ross Wilson. "The CTU acknowledges the support the Progressive Party, the Green Party and the Maori Party has given to Labour to see this through to select committee."

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.

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