Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Human Rights Day - taking workers' rights
CTU MEDIA RELEASE
10 December 2008
International Human Rights Day a sinister choice to take away workers’ rights
“Choosing International Human Rights Day as the day to bring in new laws taking away New Zealanders rights to a fair hearing at work is an unfitting, sinister choice,” Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said today.
National is expected to introduce tonight or tomorrow morning their Fire at Will Bill, taking unfair dismissal protections away from the 30 per cent of the workforce who are in small firms.
“National is driving through its Bill taking away a basic right of workers to a fair hearing, in urgency in the weeks before Christmas, when there is no compelling reason to do so.”
“Today marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Deceleration of Human Rights, rights which include the right to work and to just and favourable conditions of work. How will National’s Bill honour this declaration?”
“Today the Human Rights Commission has joined the calls for this rushed legislation to be sent to select committee for a proper process. Based on comments from John Key National’s 2008 Bill differs in a number of ways from its 2006 effort, and it needs the full scrutiny of Parliament.”
“The Council of Trade Unions has today launched an email petition to the Prime Minister, for people to give their views on the package of laws introduced this week which take away work rights, halve KiwiSaver employer contributions and put up taxes for low income workers.”
ENDS
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.
Gordon Campbell: On unemployment, Winston Peters’ low boiling point and music criticism
NZ Government: Government Recommits To Equal Pay
Emily Ireland - Local Democracy Reporter: Deputy Mayor ‘disgusted’ By Response To Georgina Beyer Sculpture
Te Pāti Māori: Māori Unemployment Rate Increases By More Than Four-Times National Rates
Government: Streamlining Building Consent Changes
Koi Tu - The Centre for Informed Futures: If Not Journalists, Then Who?
FIRST Union: May Day, The Biggest Threat To NZ Workers In 2024 Is Our Government
