Darien FENTON
Labour Spokesperson

24 July 2013                                                                 MEDIA STATEMENT

2000 submissions against Part 6 repeal

The 2000 submissions from low income workers delivered to Parliament today show the depth of concern about Government proposals to weaken important protections in employment law, says Darien Fenton, Labour’s spokesperson for Labour Issues.

“The Government is proposing to water down Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act, which will affect cleaners, food service workers, orderlies and laundry workers if their job is contracted out or contractors change hands.

“Part 6A was introduced by Labour to stop these workers being the meat in the sandwich in repetitive tendering processes where wages and hours can be the only competitive advantage.

“It provides that where work is contracted out or an employer takes over the work, workers must be transferred on the same pay and conditions to the new employer.

“Before this law change, vulnerable workers, including those employed by contractors at Parliament, could be sacked or have their wages cut every time a contractor changed hands. This resulted in the driving down of pay and conditions in low paid industries, making a difficult job even harder.

“Simon Bridges says he will listen carefully to submissions on Part 6A.  He needs to start with these workers, who can tell him that life is hard enough without being faced with yet more job insecurity,” says Darien Fenton.

ENDS

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