Iain Lees Galloway
Spokesperson for Labour Issues

5 November 2015

Overwhelming opposition to locking-in zero hour contracts

Lawyers, workers, the Human Rights Commission and even employers were united in their opposition to the Government’s bid to entrench zero-hour contracts during hearings which end today, Labour Issues spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway says.

“Employers – including Business NZ -- told the select committee considering the Employment Standards Legislation Bill they don’t use zero hour contracts and they don’t need them.

“Too many Kiwis already have too little job security. Now the Government wants to give them even less.

“If this Bill passes in its current form, more people will be stuck with conditions that leave them not knowing from week to week whether they will earn enough to feed their families or pay the rent.

“This move follows other rights National has already stripped from workers, including the right to a meal break, the right to have a health and safety representative, forcing film workers to become contractors and eroding negotiating rights.

“This is bad law. The Bill is unnecessary and out of step with the Kiwi belief in a fair go.

“Labour supports these submitters and unions who are today making a stand,” Iain Lees-Galloway says.

ENDS

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