Unfair to workers

The Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce’s (CECC) second full-page advertisement opposing the Employment Relations Amendment Bill 2018 resorts to unsubstantiated hyperbole and scaremongering.

The employment laws that CECC claims to be some of the most progressive in the world paved the way for today’s deregulated and casualised labour market.

Those laws encouraged low wages, no work or income security, no paid holidays, no statutory leave, no sick pay and irregular hours at the boss’ beck and call.

Only the privileged 31 per cent now enjoy a familyfriendly Monday to Friday working week and compliant employment agreements with all the trimmings like four weeks’ annual leave, 11 statutory days, paid sick leave, employer-paid ACC and KiwiSaver contributions.