08 September 2004

Nats Blind To Employer Needs

New Zealand First labour spokesperson Peter Brown says he’s astounded that National, which claims to be business friendly, has opposed amendments to the Holidays Bill to ensure that employers also get a fair go.

National opposed the Holidays Amendment Bill proceeding to select committee stage last night.

“New Zealand First strongly supports the principle of low-paid workers getting 4 weeks’ annual leave a year, and time and a half for working on a statutory holiday, but there are aspects of the legislation that are unworkable and unfair to the employer.” said Mr Brown.

“Since the Holidays Act 2003 was first introduced, we have expressed concern over the provisions for sick leave without a medical certificate, and the Act’s failure to prevent workers taking full sick leave while still getting time and a half on a statutory holiday,” said Mr Brown.

“The Act also needs to be amended to prevent workers from receiving penalty rates at time and a half on top of their daily holiday entitlement, and should provide an adequate time for employment contracts for composite wage rates.

“How can National claim to be business friendly when they seem perfectly happy to leave employers in this country in a major quandary.

“While they are calling for a comprehensive review, they will not get that by Labour Day in October.

“New Zealand First believes that this issue should have sufficient priority for it to be addressed as meaningfully as it can be at select committee now,” said Mr Brown.

ENDS

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