The Council of Trade Unions is calling on retailers to respect the trading restrictions in place over Easter, saying they are not an onerous requirement.

"We are calling on retailers to comply with the shop trading hours legislation which requires no trading on Good Friday and Easter Sunday for most retailers," CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said.

"Business New Zealand's criticism today [6] that the Holidays Act is "not up to the job' exposes their desire to allow basic rights at work to be traded away," CTU president Helen Kelly said.

“Improving paid parental leave provision is necessary to meet the needs of a modern workforce and modern workplaces, and the Families Commission discussion paper released today is a welcome contribution to this debate,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

“The negative impact of shop trading on Easter Sunday will not only be felt by the 200,000 strong retail workforce, but by families, sports clubs, voluntary groups, worship activities and in marae across the whole country,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

The Council of Trade Unions is encouraging all workers to get behind the campaign to save Easter for retail workers, CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

“Working New Zealanders should take a moment on Sunday to reflect on the success of the union movement campaign in achieving a fourth week of annual leave for all workers,” CTU president Ross Wilson said.

“A new online tool launched today will make the job of working out holidays entitlements easy, and should stop complaints from employers about the Holidays Act,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

"Retail workers’ ability to achieve a work-life balance isn’t being helped by attempts to remove two of the last remaining non-trading days they have off to spend with their families," CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

“While most of us are enjoying time with friends and families today, let’s spare a thought for those at work on Christmas Day today and during the New Year holidays,” said CTU president Ross Wilson.

"There must be some community days when shop employees can join other workers for a holiday," CTU secretary Carol Beaumont told a select committee considering Easter trading this morning.