8. DARIEN FENTON (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Labour
What impact, if any, will the Christchurch earthquake have on the Government’s employment law changes due to be implemented on 1 April?
Hon KATE WILKINSON (Minister of Labour) Link to this
I do not envisage further changes to employment law as a result of the Christchurch earthquake. The legislation should be flexible enough to cope with a range of circumstances.
Will the Government, as part of its response to the 22 February earthquake, include an exemption to the 90-day fire-at-will law to give workers in Christchurch job security at a time of great uncertainty?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
The trial period has already proved to be successful. One report said it was responsible for approximately 13,000 new jobs. I cannot understand why a Government would want to repeal such good, positive legislation.
Will she consider exempting from the 90-day trial period workers who relocate to Christchurch as part of the rebuilding effort, in order to attract the skilled workers that will be needed?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
I have already said I do not envisage changes to employment law as a result of the Christchurch earthquake. That should be sufficient to answer the member’s query.
Will an employer’s consent to access need to be sought by union representatives in Christchurch seeking to establish whether union members are safe in their workplaces, or will she amend or suspend that requirement under her amended Act?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
As I have said, I do not envisage further changes to employment law as a result of the Christchurch earthquake. Can I extend an invitation to the member to visit Christchurch. I am sure she will be pleased to see that on the ground there has been wonderful cooperation between Cantabrians, including between employers, employees, and unions. Disaster has struck Canterbury and Cantabrians have pulled together.
What steps have been taken to ensure the Employment Relations Authority can resume its operations, given that a number of hearings have been postponed due to the effects of the earthquake and a backlog is building up?
Hon KATE WILKINSON Link to this
The member is correct that some hearings have indeed been postponed, but the reasons for that can be varied. Some are because of disruption to employees, and some because of disruption to employers. The Department of Labour is working very hard to minimise that disruption, but I am sure the member will appreciate the enormous task ahead in Canterbury and in Christchurch.