The Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi welcomes todays announcement from the Prime Minister that the COVID-19 vaccination program will begin in just over a weeks time. CTU President Richard Wagstaff supports the decision for people working on our borders to be at the front of the line for vaccination. “Starting with border workers… Read more »
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The Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi welcomes the Government’s introduction of the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill as a much needed leveling of the playing field for Māori representation. CTU Vice-President Māori Syd Keepa says the elimination of the current double standard for wards is long overdue. “There’s no… Read more »
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The Council of Trade Unions is welcoming the introduction of the new Short-Term Absence Payment (STAP) as part of the COVID-19 response by government. CTU President Richard Wagstaff comments, “This payment is an important provision in supporting working people to take time off from work while awaiting COVID-19 test results.” “The system around this payment… Read more »
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The Council of Trade Unions is pleased that employment numbers out today show that the recovery from COVID-19 is continuing. “The number unemployed fell by 10,000 in the December 2020 quarter. Despite this welcome change, the number of people unemployed is still 25,000 (or 21.9%) higher than it was a year ago. The government still… Read more »
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The Council of Trade Unions has today presented an oral submission to the Parliamentary Select Committee (Education and workforce) considering the proposed changes to the Holidays Act which would allow for improved minimum sick leave entitlements. “Working people have successfully campaigned to improve the legal minimum sick leave entitlement from 5 days to 10. We… Read more »
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The Council of Trade Unions is warning that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures out today illustrate that the cost of living is increasing disproportionately for those on lower incomes; resulting in the poor getting poorer. CTU Economist Craig Renney comments, “The cost of essential items like food and rent are increasing at a higher… Read more »
Read more...The Ministry for Business innovation and Employment (MBIE) has today released its targeted review of adventure activities regulations. This review was conducted as a direct result of the Whakaari disaster. CTU President Richard Wagstaff comments, “One of the key findings of the review was that ‘WorkSafe prioritised other sectors with high work-related harm over adventure… Read more »
Read more...The Council of Trade Unions welcomed the return of growth in the New Zealand economy. Statistics New Zealand data released today showed quarterly GDP growth of 14% – breaking the previous six-month decline brought on by COVID-19 and the associated international downturn. On an annual basis GDP declined 2.2%, showing the economy has not yet… Read more »
Read more...Working people are pleased that the minimum wage will increase to $20 per hour from 1 April 2021. An increase of $1.10 from the current minimum wage of $18.90. “Increasing the minimum wage to $20 was a promise that Labour made in 2017. The minimum wage provides a floor; something that employers cannot legally pay… Read more »
Read more... The Council of Trade Unions today welcomed signs most New Zealanders have been supported by the Covid-19 response, released in the Government’s Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update. “This Government has been a good overall steward of the economy, and that shows in the numbers released today”, said CTU President Richard Wagstaff. Unemployment is now… Read more »
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