Workers Rights are Human Rights

Today's 55th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a timely reminder about fundamental human rights at work, says Council of Trade Unions secretary, Carol Beaumont.

"It is often forgotten that workers' rights are human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Labour Organisation standards affirm the rights of workers to fair conditions of work, equal pay for work of equal value, a decent standard of living and the right to bargain collectively," she said.

"Many workers take home the minimum wage and are in temporary or casual employment. Poor pay and working conditions are significant barriers to a decent standard of living."

It's not surprising that the first round of consultation on the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights shows that the right to an adequate standard of living is at the top of the list of human rights important to New Zealanders, Carol Beaumont said.

Unions hope the proposed protections in the Employment Relations Law Reform Bill will become law, so the lowest-paid and most vulnerable workers are protected. They also welcome proposals in the Bill to strengthen collective bargaining.

The right to fair pay and equal pay for work of equal work is also a priority issue for unions.

"Through the Pay and Employment Equity Taskforce, the CTU is committed to improving the wages and conditions of working women. It is about lifting the benchmark of what it means to respect the work that women do, both paid and unpaid," Carol Beaumont said.