Jacinda ARDERN

Social Development Spokesperson

1 September 2013                                                   

MEDIA STATEMENT 

Labour takes KFC employment case to HRC
 
Labour is requesting the Human Rights Commission investigate concerns that workers with disabilities are being restructured out of their jobs at KFC.
 
Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Jacinda Ardern is challenging a policy  dubbed “all star level” staffing that says workers must be capable of completing all duties.
 
“These workers were never hired to complete ‘all duties’. Many have worked part-time for a number of years on very specific tasks and been wholly competent.
 
“I have first hand experience working with young people with disabilities. In fact, I trained two people at KFC in these very roles. Each of them had enormous dedication to their job and the team. The idea that a policy like this would now put them out of the job is devastating.
 
“This catch-all policy is unfair and unjust. Social responsibility is a guiding principle for smart business globally. Restaurants in small towns rely on the engagement of their local communities. This one-size-fits-all approach won’t go down well with workers in Greymouth or Oamaru.
 
“Labour isn’t going to sit back and see valued workers lose out because of an arbitrary decision, likely made offshore. We are going to advocate for local interests and for the disability sector by challenging this policy,” Jacinda Ardern said.

ENDS

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