January, 2004

The Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont says unions support the Caritas report's recommendation that household poverty be addressed so that children do not have to work to supplement the family income.

The Council of Trade Unions is urging union members around the country to give generously to relief funds set up to help victims of Cyclone Heta on Niue Island.

Around 20,000 Niueans live in New Zealand, and the two countries have long had a close relationship, says the CTU's Komiti Pasefika (Pacific Committee) co-convenor Efu Koka. "Many of us work alongside people from Niue and they are our union brothers and sisters as well," Efu Koka says. "They have family members still on Niue who have lost their homes and most of their possessions in Cyclone Heta. "They need our help to restore essential services, as well as rebuild their homes, hospitals, and other public buildings." Komiti Pasefika is encouraging members of all unions, through their delegates, to donate to Nuie relief appeals, The CTU's organisation of affiliate unions makes it possible for a co-ordinated response to the call for help. The New Zealand Nurses Organisation has set up a fund in response to the desperate situation of Niue nurses who are stuggling to give health care without a hospital. The national Pacific radio network, NiuFM, has also established a fund to assist in rebuilding Niue, as well as to help the victims of Heta in Samoa and Tonga. "Komiti Pasefika urges all union members to give what they can to these appeals," Efu Koka says.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation is expecting strong support from its members for the NZNO relief fund set up today to assist Niue Islanders in their cyclone ravaged island.NZNO manager Trevor Warr said NZNO has set up the relief fund at the suggestion of a nurse concerned about the devastation faced by the Niuean people.

"We are particularly concerned about the destruction caused to the Island's hospital and will ask Niuean nurses to allocate the priorities for the NZNO Niue Relief Fund," he said.

"All nurses know how difficult it is to deal with emergency situations when health facilities are desperately needed, and how much more difficult it is without an adequate hospital."

Trevor Warr said NZNO members wished to express support for the family and community of Cathy Alec, the Niuean nurse killed in the cyclone.

NZNO has made an initial contribution of $5,000 to the fund and is encouraging nurses and other health workers to respond generously.

Trevor Warr said it was appropriate for NZNO to give strong support to colleagues in Niue as New Zealand was part of the Pacific.

"We will be contacting our colleagues in Australia's nurses' union, ANF, and the International Council of Nurses to seek their support also," he said.