The NZCTU recognises that workers’ rights are human rights and is committed to supporting working people in Aotearoa New Zealand in their fight for economic and social justice.
A major issue faced by working people is the inherent imbalance of power between workers and their employers, with employers having the upper hand. Unions are essential in enabling working people to stand up for their rights and ensuring that unions have the strength and resources to organise is a major challenge.
Our work in this area focuses on bringing about the creation of worker-friendly laws and policies through participating in tripartite discussions, making submissions to the government, and becoming involved in legal cases to highlight and improve workers’ interests.
Find out more below.
Latest Employment Relations Info
- Employment Relations (Protections for Kiwisaver Members) Amendment Bill
The CTU strongly supports the legislative intent of this Bill, which is to ensure workers are legally protected against unfair treatment, or the threat of unfair treatment, based on their… Read More »Employment Relations (Protections for Kiwisaver Members) Amendment Bill - Select Committee Submission on Employment Relations (Restraint of Trade) Amendment Bill
Restraint of trade clauses are frequently and unjustifiably imposed on low-income earning workers; these workers often lack the resources to challenge these clauses. - Consultation on a Potential Code of Practice for Biometrics, Office of the Privacy Commissioner
A robust code of practice will help to protect workers from the risks associated with the collection of biometric information in the workplace and to ensure a human-centred future of work. - Companies (Directors Duties) Amendment Bill, Economic Development, Science, and Innovation Committee
The NZCTU supports the Companies (Directors Duties) Amendment Bill, which will contribute to ensuring workers get a fair deal from the value they provide, and that New Zealanders have access to good work. - Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Bill, Education and Workforce Committee
The NZCTU supports the Worker Protection (Migrant and Other Employees) Bill, which is intended to improve compliance and enforcement legislation to deter workers from exploiting migrants. - Employment Relations (Extended Time for Personal Grievance for Sexual Harassment) Amendment Bill
The 90-day timeframe for raising personal grievances is unfairly and unworkably rigid for workers who face sexual harassment in the workplace, and extended timeframe will improve access to justice for workers who face this issue.
Resources
NZCTU Definition of Good Work, June 2022
This resource outlines the NZCTU’s eight-part definition of good work, which was agreed by social partners at the June 2022 Future of Work Tripartite Forum. Good work is mahi that has a lasting positive impact on the worker, the employer, and the wider community. It is mahi that enhances the mana and dignity of workers, and where both employers and employees are treated with respect. The NZCTU’s definition can be used to help assess the extent to which good work is available in Aotearoa New Zealand and to develop policy to improve the quality of employment.
