Amendments to Employment Relations Bill planned

The Government gave further indications yesterday that it is prepared to amend the Employment Relations Bill, with Labour Minister Margaret Wilson promising a positive response to business sector concerns.

The bill, to replace the Employment Contracts Act, is before a parliamentary select committee.

"The Government has indicated it will support changes to the bill," Ms Wilson told a business meeting in Tauranga.

The changes included:

* Genuine contractors would not become employees.

* Fixed-term contracts for fixed-term work could continue.

* Responsible communication from employers to their employees during bargaining would be protected.

* Employers would not face confusion about their responsibilities to staff in the event of a business sale or merger.

* Liability of directors under the Minimum Wage Act and the Holidays Act would be limited to "very rare situations" in which they had directed or authorised underpayments and the company was insolvent.

* Confidential information would be safe from competitors.

"The Government has responded positively to the thoughtful and constructive submissions by business owners, managers, employees and unions seeking improvements in the bill," Ms Wilson said.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen admitted in Wellington on Wednesday that the bill had led to "an uncomfortable level of conflict" between some business leaders and the Government.

- NZPA