Working people are welcoming today's announcement from
Hon Michael Wood, Minister for Workplace Relations and
Safety, that the law change, increasing minimum sick leave
from 5 days to 10 days per year, will be initiated before
Christmas.
"We are pleased that the Minister has
clearly heard the rationale of the union movement's campaign
to increase sick leave," CTU President Richard Wagstaff
said.
"However, the draft law still needs some work.
Currently working people are not able to access any sick
leave until they have been with the same employer for six
months. This 'stand-down' period is simply impractical and
inconsistent with the whole purpose of the law; to keep
people away from work when they are unwell. Regardless of
how long you have been with your employer, when you are sick
you should be at home."
"We are still working to get
the existing COVID leave scheme fixed so that no one is
expected to go without pay because they have been tested for
COVID-19 and are awaiting their test
results."
"Working people and their unions will be
making the most of the parliamentary processes and we will
be raising our concerns at select committee," Wagstaff
said.
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.
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