All Workers Will Now Be Able To Be Fired At Will - The Govt Has No Shame
All workers will be in the firing line for instant dismissal regardless of circumstances under a law change now before Parliament.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brook van Velden has introduced the Employment Relations Amendment Bill which will make it harder for workers to bring personal grievance claims.
"This is plainly and simply a fundamental erosion of workers' rights to secure employment - the Minister is effectively giving employers the green light to fire workers at will," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
"It will be virtually impossible for a worker to bring a successful personal grievance if unfairly sacked. This is a radical change for every workplace in New Zealand, again exposing the Government's priority to make life easier for employers, harder for workers.
"If a worker is dismissed unjustifiably, the only remedy is through a personal grievance. There is no problem here the Government is trying to solve. The current remedies are already very limited with reinstatement only being ordered in 16 cases at the Employment Relations Authority in 2024 according to their Annual Report.
"But now the Bill will make it easier for employers to find a way to undermine any personal grievance claim by establishing some conduct by the worker that contributed to a dismissal.
"Under the Bill, an employer will be able to amplify any conduct by the workers - it won't be hard for some justification to be found to defend against the claim.
Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
"This is all about weakening any claim and discouraging a worker from bringing a claim in the first place. That will mean workers will find it much harder to be reinstated which is ultimately what most workers want or get compensation for hurt and humiliation.
"The Minister trumpeted the changes as all about 'labour market flexibility'. We heard the same thing in 1991 with the Employment Contracts Act which the Government then promised would increase productivity. That didn't happen, it just stripped workers of rights and emboldened employers.
"We are seeing the same playbook now with planned cuts to sick pay, pay equity, the 90-day fire at will law, weakening health and safety requirements for employers and the axing of Fair Pay Agreements.
"That all amounts to less secure employment, lower wages and more dangerous workplaces.
"The Government has no shame and workers across New Zealand will pay the price for that for years to come."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
40 minutes ago
- Scoop
Ninety-Five NZ Lawyers Call for Stronger Govt Stance on Israel Amidst Rising Tensions in Middle East
Ninety-five New Zealand lawyers – including 9 King's Counsel – have signed a letter to the Prime Minister and other ministers urging the Government to consider a stronger stance against Israel's actions in Gaza. The letter has been sent amidst rising tensions in the region, following Israel's surprise attacks on Iran, and Iran's attacks on Israel in response. The letter's signatories come from all levels of seniority in the legal community including senior barristers, law firm partners, legal academics, and in-house lawyers. The letter cites UN sources that document the steadily deteriorating plight of civilians in Gaza, featuring escalating levels of bombardment, forced displacement, blockades of aid and deliberate targeting of hospitals, aid workers and journalists, and notes key responses to date. In July 2024 the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel's continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory to be unlawful. In September last year New Zealand voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution calling upon all UN Member States to comply with their obligations under international law and take concrete steps to address Israel's ongoing presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. At the time, New Zealand noted it expected Israel to take meaningful steps towards compliance with international law including withdrawal from the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The letter comments that Israel has done nothing of the sort. The letter goes on to point out that in May this year Independent UN Experts demanded immediate international intervention to 'end the violence or bear witness to the annihilation of the Palestinian population in Gaza.' UN experts have observed the occurrence of over 52,535 deaths, of which 70 percent continue to be women and children. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher has called for a response 'as humanitarians' urging 'Humanity, the law and reason must prevail'. The letter urges the Government to consider a stronger response including to condemn Israel's unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, to review immediately all diplomatic and political and economic ties with Israel, and to go further in imposing sanctions after New Zealand imposed sanctions on two extremist Israeli politicians. One of the letter's signatories, barrister Max Harris, says: 'This letter reflects rising concern among the general community about Israel's breaches of international law.' 'The Government has tried to highlight red lines for Israel, but these have been repeatedly crossed, and it's time that the Government considers doing more, in line with international law,' adds Harris. Aedeen Boadita-Cormican, another barrister who has signed the letter, says: 'The Government could do more to follow through on how it has voted at the United Nations and what it has said internationally.' 'This letter shows the depth of concern in the legal community about Israel's actions,' adds Boadita-Cormican.
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
'We are not a shop': Council hits back at critics
The Waimakariri District Council adopted its 2025/26 plan on Tuesday. Photo: David Hill / North Canterbury News Waimakariri councillors have taken aim at online critics, as they locked in an average rates rise of 4.98%. ''We are not a shop,'' councillor Tim Fulton said. ''We can turn down the lights, but the obligation to our community doesn't change.'' The Waimakariri District Council adopted its annual plan at a meeting today, with the backing of Mayor Dan Gordon and nine councillors. During the meeting, councillors took aim at comments online that said the council needed to rein in its spending and be run more like a business. Cr Joan Ward said the council provides a variety of services, including roading, infrastructure, pools and libraries. ''We are not a business. When you compare what we offer with your power bill, so much is received for the community for much the same expense.'' The Waimakariri district is continuing to support growth. Photo: Waimakariri District Council In moving the motion to adopt the annual plan, Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson said transparency has become ''a buzz word''. Power bills have gone up an average 11% this year and insurance an average 22%, compared to the council's 4.98% rate rise, he said. ''I don't know any business which is as transparent as a government agency like us.'' Councillor Paul Williams, who has been critical of council spending, abstained from the annual plan vote and didn't comment during the debate. The annual plan consultation received 787 submissions, with the bulk on the council's proposed waters services model, designed to meet the requirements of the Government's Local Water Done Well legislation. A water services delivery plan has since been prepared for a beefed-up internal business unit to manage water services, after 97% of submissions backed the proposal. The council plans to spend nearly $90m on capital projects over the next 12 months to support the ongoing growth. During the meeting, Mayor Dan Gordon paid tribute to Mr Atkinson, who plans to retire at the election. ''I could not have asked for a more loyal deputy behind me. I've had someone who gives extraordinary advice and support.'' ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
ECan chair undecided as election looms
Craig Pauling. Photo: David Hill / North Canterbury News The chair of Canterbury's regional council is undecided about his future, as the local election looms. Environment Canterbury chairperson Craig Pauling said he is contemplating a tilt at Parliament next year or stepping back from politics. There has been speculation Mr Pauling could run for the Green Party in the Banks Peninsula electorate in next year's general election. But he admits he still has unfinished business around the council table. ''There are things I want to do, so I'm still weighing it all up. ''Becoming an MP is certainly one of the options and I have talked about going to Parliament, but I haven't made my mind up. ''The chair role is an awesome honour. It has been rewarding and it has its challenges too.'' Mr Pauling has served two terms on the council. He was elected chairperson in October, following Peter Scott's resignation the previous month, having served as deputy chair and acting chair. The pair had contested the role in October 2022, with Mr Scott's name being drawn out of a container after an eight-eight split in the vote. Nominations for election candidates open on July 1 and close on August 1, ahead of the October elections, so he doesn't have much time if he wants a seat at the council table. Mr Pauling said if he was to stand for Parliament next year, the selection process would likely begin towards the end of this year. A third option is to step away from politics and go back to his passion for environmental planning and policy making. ''There is always heaps to do, so it is about making the decision which is right for me and my family.'' Mr Pauling is of Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mutunga and European descent. He has whakapapa to Taumutu, Rāpaki and Ngāi Tūāhuriri. ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
