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Workplace health and safety will get a $37 million boost over the next four years, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has announced.

In addition, Ms Wilkinson has ordered a full review of New Zealand’s health and safety system by an independent taskforce to ensure it is fit-for-purpose.

“Too many New Zealanders are injured or killed at work. People have a right to know that when they leave for work in the morning, they will be coming home safe and well at the end of the day,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Today is International Workers’ Memorial Day - a time for New Zealand workers and employers to reflect on the importance of health and safety on the job, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

Falling on April 28 each year, it is a day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work.

“This is a time to remember those friends, family and colleagues who didn’t come home from work and to reflect on the role we all must play in ensuring our workplaces are safe,” Ms Wilkinson says.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has launched a new action plan to bring down the “unacceptable” number of workplace injuries in the agriculture sector.

The Agriculture Sector Action Plan targets four priority areas that account for at least half of all injuries and deaths in the sector, including:

• use of agricultural vehicles and machinery
• the physical and mental health/wellbeing of agricultural workers
• slips, trips and falls, and
• animal handling.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has told the construction industry there’s no longer any excuse for failure to work safely at height.

The Minister today launched the Best Practice Guidelines for Working at Height in New Zealand at the new Wigram Skies housing subdivision in Christchurch.

“These guidelines give everyone in the industry clear, simple advice that will help bring down the death and injury toll from avoidable falls in the construction industry.

Introduction

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you all today.

Health and safety within New Zealand workplaces is something the Government takes very seriously and is a key focus area for me personally, so I am pleased to be able to come and talk to you about the issues and our priorities for the next three years.

This term the Government has four key priorities. These are to responsibly manage our finances; deliver better public services; build a more competitive and productive economy; and rebuild Christchurch.

A review of workers’ rights to ask for flexible work arrangements has found strong support for extending the power to all employees.

The review into section 6AA of the Employment Relations Act was presented to Parliament today by Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson.

It found flexibility delivered positive business benefits, including improved retention and recruitment of staff, reduced staff turnover, and improved employee motivation and loyalty.

Addington Events Centre, Christchurch
22 March 2012

Good afternoon and welcome to you all.  I am very pleased the Productivity Partnership has given me this opportunity to speak to you today, on what is a great step forward for Canterbury – the launch of the Built Environment Skills Strategy.

The Strategy is a very important piece of work which will help the Government to reach two of its four priorities - to build a more competitive and productive economy and to rebuild Christchurch.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to your conference today about my government’s priorities for employment relations for the next three years.

I thought I should start by emphasising our Government’s driving goal – as articulated by the Prime Minister – which is to build a more competitive and internationally-focused economy with less debt, more jobs and higher incomes.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson today launched a new plan to bring down the number of injuries and deaths in the manufacturing industry.

The Manufacturing Sector Action Plan targets the most significant causes of harm to manufacturing workers and outlines a range of initiatives, including improving safe use of machinery and vehicles at work.

Crowne Plaza, Auckland
13 March 2012

Introduction

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to your conference today about my government's priorities for employment relations for the next three years.

I thought I should start by emphasising our Government's driving goal – as articulated by the Prime Minister – which is to build a more competitive and internationally-focused economy with less debt, more jobs and higher incomes.

CHEP Pallets, Wiri, Auckland
13 March 2012

Thank you for that kind introduction and for inviting me here today to launch the Manufacturing Sector Action Plan.

It is great to see so many interested parties in attendance today. From the start there has been wide interest in this plan from across the sector. It was very encouraging for me to see the level of industry involvement in the development of this action plan.

The Government has resolved to take a stronger line on the operation of foreign charter vessels (FCVs) in New Zealand waters, say Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson.

The Ministers today released the report of the Ministerial Inquiry into Foreign Charter Vessels.

The Inquiry, which was initiated by the Government last year, focused on several issues, including labour standards and protecting New Zealand’s reputation.

Mr Carter says the Inquiry panel has done a thorough job.

Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson today received the report of the Ministerial Inquiry into the use and operation of Foreign Charter Vessels (FCVs).

The Inquiry was initiated by the Government last year to consider key issues relevant to the use of FCVs in New Zealand waters.

A Ministerial Inquiry was regarded as the appropriate course of action as a number of ministerial portfolios have an interest in FCV engagement and operation, including fisheries, labour, immigration, transport and foreign affairs and trade.

The Department of Labour’s High Hazard Unit (HHU) is now running at full strength, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson announced today.

The roles for all six specialist Health and Safety Inspectors have been filled. A Chief Inspector Petroleum and Geothermal, Wayne Vernon, has just been appointed and will start work in March.

This follows the appointment of Chief Inspector Mines Gavin Taylor who has been seconded from his position as Queensland’s Chief Inspector of Coal Mines.

The Government will increase the minimum wage from $13 to $13.50 an hour, Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson announced today.

The training and new entrants’ minimum wages will increase from $10.40 to $10.80 (or 80% of the adult minimum wage).

“Those working full time on the minimum wage will earn an extra $20 a week or more than $1000 a year,” Ms Wilkinson said.

“This increase strikes the right balance between protecting low paid workers and ensuring that jobs are not lost during these tough economic times.”