6. Hon MARK GOSCHE (Labour—Maungakiekie) Link to this
to the Minister of Labour
What reports has he received on employment relations?
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister of Labour) Link to this
I have seen a report that shows that under a Labour-led Government, and with some very good predecessors, income for New Zealand’s lowest paid has gone up by 71 percent—four times more than National achieved in 9 years—notwithstanding National Party opposition to increasing the minimum wage. Since 2002, 130,000 parents have taken advantage of paid parental leave, notwithstanding National’s opposition to the introduction of this scheme, to its extension, and to the increases in rates. Working families now have at least 4 weeks a year to spend as families as a result of the Holidays Act changes—something that was opposed by National. National is recommending that that provision becomes negotiable, and in fact, goes back to what it was and is taken away from workers. Real incomes in New Zealand have improved by 25 percent since 2000. Many hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders have done well with these changes, and they know that their rights are safe only with Labour.
Hon TREVOR MALLARD Link to this
I have seen recent reports that show that under a National Government—a receding possibility—employer contributions to KiwiSaver would be gone, according to Kate Wilkinson; would be back, according to John Key; and then they would be gone again, according to Shane Ardern. The ability to fire people at will would be introduced. Workers would face the risk of being fired for nothing or for complaining about being sexually harassed, and they would have no right of appeal. I am proud that millions of New Zealanders have a Labour-led Government to ensure their rights are protected.