Selling off Kiwi work rights to a US corporation is shameful

Changing New Zealand's labour laws for the interests of a single enterprise and at the behest of overseas corporations makes this a day of shame not celebration, says New Zealand’s largest private sector union, the EPMU.

Following the government's talks with Warner Bros executives over the filming of "The Hobbit" they have announced they will rush a law change through Parliament "confirming the independent contractor status" of those in the film industry employed on this basis.

"Changing New Zealand's labour laws for the interests of a single enterprise and at the behest of overseas corporations makes this a day of shame not celebration,” says EPMU national secretary Andrew Little.

“Selling off Kiwi work rights to a US corporation is shameful,” he says.

“The only thing the government could legislate for is to remove the right of the courts to look behind the form of an employment agreement in order to check the true nature of the agreement, which is something that has been crucial to a fair balance in employment law around the world for many, many decades.”

"The right of the courts to look at substance over form is fundamental in commercial and tax law so why should it not apply to people who sell their skills, talent and time in the New Zealand film industry?”

"There is nothing remotely right about any aspect of this response to “The Hobbit" dispute. It is a total sell-out of New Zealand law making and legal principle, and makes New Zealand the laughing stock of the developed world.”

"Irrespective of the conduct of the dispute the real issue behind it was always how actors and others have a collective say on the matters that affect them and this issue remains unresolved.”

The EPMU represents around 45,000 members across eleven industry sectors and takes an active interest in employment law.
ends

© Scoop Media