24 August, 2010Thousands of workers participated in the rallies organized by the IMF New Zealand affiliate EPMU against changes proposed by the government to the employment law. The rallies are a part of a nationwide union campaign 'Fairness at Work'.
NEW ZEALAND: Thousands of workers participated in the rallies organized by the IMF affiliate Engineering, Printing & Manufacturing Union (EPMU) on August 21 and 22. The rallies took place in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, the four main cities of New Zealand.
The rallies are part of a nationwide union campaign 'Fairness at Work' opposing the Government 90 day 'fire at will' law. According to the union the suggested changes in the labour legislation weaken workers' rights and deprive workers from fair treatment at work. Currently the law is applied to companies with less than 20 employees and the government wants to extend the provision to all.
EPMU argues that unemployment has rocketed up to 18,000 people in the three months since the law was enacted on small and medium sized enterprises and opposes the Government suggestion to extend the law to all workers.
The union believes the security of employment and protection from unfair dismissal are a fundamental right for every worker. The current system works and offers those protections in a low cost process. Trial periods are permitted under the current system. However the proposed changes will legislate for unfair dismissal with no right of appeal or redress.
More details can be seen at 'Fairness at Work' campaign website.