Business lobby attacks proposed labour law changes
New Zealand’s corporate sector has stepped up its attack on proposed labour laws, saying it would undermine a move towards flexible working conditions.
BusinessNZ appeared before the education and workforce select committee this week in its hearings on the Employment Relations Amendment Act.
BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope said the law could breach privacy laws as well International Labour Organisation conventions ratified by the last Labour Government, regarding voluntary participation in collective bargaining.
‘‘It’s certainly not great for business, it’s not going to be that great for workers and indeed it’s not going to be that good for New Zealand, frankly,’’ Hope told the select committee.
‘‘More progressive unions, globally, are moving in a completely different direction, towards recognising that the workplaces of the future will need to be much more flexible.’’
BusinessNZ’s submission on the bill claimed that the combination of provisions that appeared in earlier employment law, combined with new provisions in the bill, would mean ‘‘unions will control the pay and conditions of nonunion members’’ and would eventually derive revenue from nonunion member employees as well.
‘‘Ten [per cent] to 12 per cent of the population in New Zealand, the working-age population [which are union members], will determine the pay and conditions for the rest of New Zealand workers, under this bill,’’ Hope said. ‘‘I don’t know if New Zealanders will think that’s fair and reasonable.’’
The move appears to be the first major attack by the organisation on the new Government.
Hope and his colleagues have been appointed to a number of working groups established since Labour formed the coalition, including sitting on the Tax Working Group.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has repeatedly responded to questions about the impact of her Government’s policies on employers by pointing to consultation with BusinessNZ.
Earlier Chris Lewis, Federated Farmers’ dairy chairman, said legislation that allowed union officials access to workplaces without permission created health and safety issues as well as privacy concerns.
‘‘Even if the person doesn’t come into the house itself, this is a person’s home and they should be able to have some control over who comes on, and when.’’
The bill has the support of the Council of Trade Unions (CTU), which describes the legislation ‘‘as a step in the right direction’’ to balance employment relations.
‘‘This bill reintroduces civility as a minimum workplace standard, like the right to a rest and meal break, and the right to be given a reason for ending your employment,’’ CTU president Richard Wagstaff said in early April.
‘‘Importantly, the bill restores people’s freedom to choose to join their union. Robust collective bargaining laws also give voice to working people, and gives them a better shot at seeing a fair share of the wealth they produce in their wages.’’