Casual workers to be protected under new Bill

Casual workers will have greater protection under a Bill tabled yesterday in Parliament, said Peter Conway, Council of Trade Unions Economist.

“The Bill provides increased powers to Labour Inspectors to issue determinations on whether a worker has been genuinely employed on a fixed term agreement, or is in fact a permanent employee.”

“The Bill also codifies case law the tests that should be applied to assess whether a worker has progressed from casual to permanent employment.”

“Unions will also welcome provisions in the Bill that cover what is known as 'triangular' employment. The Bill will ensure that workers who perform work for a controlling third party can join that party to any personal grievance claim, and also must be employed on terms and conditions no less favourable than any collective agreement which covers direct employees.”

“While we have low unemployment in New Zealand, far too many Kiwi workers are in casual and temporary work, bringing insecurity to their incomes and work and family life.”

“Protection for casual workers is long overdue and we hope that this Bill can proceed to a select committee and then on to full legislative effect,” Peter Conway said.