Wayne Mapp National Party MP

23 February 2006

House to debate 90-day probation work bill

National Party MP Wayne Mapp is delighted that his member's bill, the Employment Relations (Probationary Employment) Amendment Bill, has been drawn from the ballot to be debated by Parliament.

"This bill will ensure we have workplace law that will help New Zealand close the production gap with Australia.

"It will reduce barriers to employment by establishing a 90-day probation period for new workers and employers," says Dr Mapp, who is National's Labour & Industrial Relations spokesman.

"This will enable employers to take a chance with new employees without facing the risk of expensive and protracted personal grievance procedures.

"And it will enable people who have not had previous work experience to find their first job and make it easier for others to re-enter the workforce.

"If the relationship does not work out during the 90-day period, either party can walk away without personal grievance procedures applying.

"New Zealand and Denmark are the only two countries in the OECD that do not have a probation period for new employees. The most common length of probation period in the OECD is three months. In Britain it is 12 months.

"The bill will be a real test for the various parties in Parliament on whether or not they are really committed to boosting New Zealand's productivity and competitiveness.

"It is time for New Zealand to come into the mainstream. This bill will promote greater growth and productivity in the economy."

ENDS

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