Concerns raised over employee exploitation

Concerns are being raised about some employers using the recession as an excuse to exploit workers and drive down wages.

Unions say those involved in wage bargaining sometimes find it difficult to tell if employers are genuine about dire financial states or talk it up to be opportunistic.

A senior manager at Westpac told the Sunday Star-Times that some staff were being set unrealistic sales targets, which put them under a lot of pressure.

He believed there was a motive to put so much pressure on staff they would leave of their own accord, ruling out redundancy.

However, Westpac consumer banking general manager Bruce McLachlan said that suggestion was "laughable" .

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said while some employers genuinely couldn't afford wage increases, some were creating fear among staff about their future.

He said many were happy to disclose financial situations, but others were less inclined to be open about it and it was possible things "perhaps aren't as bad as they're saying".

Labour leader Phil Goff said he understood some employers were hurting .

"However, I have also heard sentiments that less scrupulous employers are using the state of the economy to drive down wages and weaken work conditions. That is not on."

- NZPA