Let's talk over employment bill: business

WELLINGTON - Business and employer groups have welcomed Government changes to employment relations legislation, but say more consultation is needed.

The Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Employers Federation, Manufacturers Federation, Federated Farmers, Retail Merchants Association and Tourism Industry Association united yesterday in a call for the Government to allow further examination of the bill now parts of it have been changed.

Spokesman Peter Townsend said consultation with the key employer groups could be achieved quickly and not affect the proposed October 1 implementation date.

"It is imperative that the legislation is workable so that it is sustainable in the long term. It is in no one's interest to encourage expensive legal battles as a result of poorly developed legislation."

The Employment Relations Bill, set to replace the Employment Contracts Act, is being considered by a parliamentary select committee.

The Government is not expected to announce decisions on it for several weeks, but is understood to have altered key provisions dealing with fixed-term contracts and the disclosure of financial information to unions by employers.

It has also tackled other problems in the bill which had led to an outcry from business, after promising to heed their concerns.

Labour Minister Margaret Wilson and Prime Minister Helen Clark have reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the bill's basic principles, however, including the promotion of collective bargaining.

Mr Townsend acknowledged the Government had listened to the concerns of the business and employer groups.

"We now want to work with them to see if we believe the changes they are proposing will be workable."

National labour spokesman Max Bradford said there was "some substance" to the Government's recent changes, but the bill remained unpalatable to employers wanting a flexible labour market.

- NZPA