Labour will put workers first with better pay, safer workplaces and stronger rights.
“Labour is the party of workers. We were founded to stand up for working people, and that’s exactly what we’ll do in Government,” Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.
“While National has spent three years making life harder for workers, Labour has a plan to deliver better pay, stronger rights, safer workplaces and more time with family.
“Hard work should pay. People should be able to support their families, get ahead and come home safely at the end of the day. That’s what a fair deal looks like, and that’s what Labour will deliver.
“This Labour Day, we’re making it clear whose side we’re on: the people who get up every morning, go to work and keep this country moving.”
A Labour Government will deliver a plan for workers that includes:
Better pay that keeps up with the cost of living: Increase the minimum wage in line with inflation, strengthening previous commitments to protect workers’ purchasing power.
A Living Wage for public sector workers: Work towards paying public sector workers the Living Wage over time, starting with the core public service.
Fair pay for work that matters: Restore pay equity and deliver an immediate $4 an hour pay increase for care and support workers.
Fairer pay and conditions across industries: Reintroduce Fair Pay Agreements so workers can negotiate better minimum standards across their industries.
More time for family and whānau: Roll back National’s reductions in annual leave.
Safer workplaces: Strengthen health and safety laws and introduce a new crime of corporate homicide to hold companies accountable for serious workplace wrongdoing resulting in death.
Stronger rights at work: Protect collective bargaining so workers’ pay and conditions cannot be undermined and people can stand together for a fair deal.
“Every one of these commitments is about making a practical difference to workers’ lives, in their pay packets, their workplaces and the time they get to spend with their families,” Jan Tinetti said.
“Workers have had a rough three years under National. They’ve seen protections weakened, their rights undermined and too many people struggling to make ends meet, even when they’re working hard.
“Labour Day is a reminder that the rights workers have today were fought for, not handed out. We will defend those gains and keep building on them. This Labour Day, Labour is proud to stand with working people and we have a plan to deliver for them,” Jan Tinetti said.
