23 March 2009 Media Statement

Cutting holidays doesn’t stack up with 9-day fortnight

It doesn’t make sense for National to remove four weeks minimum annual leave at the same time that it is trying to encourage a nine day fortnight, Progressive leader Jim Anderton says.

Four weeks minimum annual leave was a Progressive Party initiative. It was introduced as a result of a member’s bill introduced by Progressive MP Matt Robson.

“Cutting four weeks’ leave is hypocritical for a government that took 27 days of holidays in its first 100 days in office. What’s good for National MPs ought to be good for working New Zealanders,” Jim Anderton said.

“Calling the axing of holidays a ‘buy-back’ doesn’t change the fact that it cuts the minimum holiday entitlement.

“Thousands of workers who are paid just over the minimum wage will be presented with employment contracts that say they request cash instead of annual leave – and their employers will tell them ‘we will have to cut your pay if you don’t sign.’

“The same employer could then put their hand out for a government subsidy to reduce that worker’s hours by a day a fortnight.

“National is returning to its nasty, anti-worker roots.”

ENDS

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