SFWU Welcomes Protection for Vulnerable Workers

The Service & Food Workers Union (SFWU) says that history has been made with the announcement of a proposed law that will provide protection for vulnerable workers in situations of contracting out and sale of business.

"Today's announcement is a victory for the low-paid members of the SFWU who have fought for a decade to get this kind of protection," says Darien Fenton, SFWU national secretary. "It ensures that employment legislation reflects the realities faced by workers as well as internationally accepted standards.

"The workers who will be protected by the proposed law are some of the least visible in our society," says Ms Fenton. "At night they clean the buildings we work in, they provide meals for people in hospitals, airports and food halls, they ensure the grounds and buildings in schools, polytechs and universities are clean and maintained. But these workers, more so than many other groups, face a constant lack of job security and the loss of their terms and conditions of employment."

The union says that workers all over New Zealand employed by companies providing services such as cleaning will no longer face the loss of employment or the possible reduction in conditions every time the contract company loses the contract with the hospital, the school or commercial building.

"Workers will be protected at the point of changeover, the point of greatest vulnerability. Employers can still restructure their business, but will not be able to use the contract change point as a device to push through changes in an unfair way," says Ms Fenton.

"In 2000 the Government indicated that it took note of this vulnerable group of workers and would look at addressing their issues in legislation in the second term. Our union is happy to see that the Government has kept its word and will put in place a legislative protection."