Josephine Gagan: Who cares? Our support workers and they deserve more
19 May, 2021 02:30 AM
5 minutes to read
Homecare workers help New Zealanders get around and live independently for much longer, taking pressure off our healthcare system. Photo / 123RF
Homecare workers help New Zealanders get around and live independently for much longer, taking pressure off our healthcare system. Photo / 123RF
NZ Herald
OPINION In the wake of Covid-19 s impact, and with an aging global population, many governments around the world have woken up to the critical importance of home and community care - and are enhancing their funding accordingly.
Support in the home lets our elders and those with chronic health conditions live well and maintain their independence, while minimising hospital stays benefiting them, their whānau and everyone else served by our health system.
Govt reveals overhaul of employment laws Fri, 7 May 2021, 2:49PM
Workplace Relations Minister Michael Wood announced Cabinet s decisions on fair pay agreements, saying legislation could be passed next year. (Photo / Alex Burton)
Govt reveals overhaul of employment laws Fri, 7 May 2021, 2:49PM
The Government has released its decisions on how unions and employers would interact to set fair pay agreements, which would represent the biggest shift in industrial relations since the early 1990s.
A key manifesto pledge of the Labour Party in 2017, the agreements would aim to standardise and improve terms and conditions across entire industries or occupations. Labour says the agreements have significant similarities to Australia s modern awards system.
One in 10 workers could trigger fair pay agreement process, in step towards collective bargaining
7 May, 2021 01:00 AM
6 minutes to read
Workplace Relations Minister Michael Wood announced Cabinet s decisions on fair pay agreements, saying legislation could be passed next year. Photo / Alex Burton
Workplace Relations Minister Michael Wood announced Cabinet s decisions on fair pay agreements, saying legislation could be passed next year. Photo / Alex Burton
The Government has released its decisions on how unions and employers would interact to set fair pay agreements, which would represent the biggest shift in industrial relations since the early 1990s.
A key manifesto pledge of the Labour Party in 2017, the agreements would aim to standardise and improve terms and conditions across entire industries or occupations. Labour says the agreements have significant similarities to Australia s modern awards system.
STUFF
The Labour government is looking to help employees like cleaners and support workers negotiate better pay with their employers. The new system for collective bargaining is based on Australia’s modern awards system and aims to improve pay and conditions for workers, especially those in low-wage sectors such as cleaning and security. But some employers and the political-right argue it will lower employment by forcing them into sector-wide arrangements. Here’s an explainer on what exactly Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs) are. What on earth is an FPA? An FPA is a legally-binding agreement that sets out minimum pay and conditions between employers and employees across an entire sector.