Changes to break legislation

Meal and rest breaks from work will become more flexible if legislation introduced into Parliament today is passed, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says.

The Employment Relations (Rest Breaks and Meal Breaks) Amendment Bill was introduced today by Ms Wilkinson.

It seeks to alter legislation passed by the previous Labour government which set aside specific breaks and time for breastfeeding, depending on the length of a work day.

Ms Wilkinson said the new amendment would provide "greater flexibility" and give employers and employees the opportunity to develop breaks at a time best suited to individual requirements.

"Everyone needs to take breaks during their hours of work - but the law as it stands is too rigid and makes life difficult for a number of occupations and industries."

The bill still has a requirement for breaks but allows for "compensatory measures" - such as earlier or later start times or time off in lieu, she said.

Labour MP Trevor Mallard said the changes would deny vulnerable workers basic rights.

There was irony in the timing of the announcement - the day after Labour Day, Mr Mallard, former food safety minister, said.

Most workers received appropriate breaks and Labour's legislation was for the "minority of cases".

"Allowing workers to start late or finish early in lieu of taking a lunch break is just not fair compensation.

"Workers are entitled to have a lunch break when they do a full day's work," Mr Mallard said.

Council of Trade Unions (CTU) president Helen Kelly said the amendment was unnecessary.

"These changes remove the absolutely fundamental right to minimum breaks at reasonably spaced periods during a working day."

Labour's legislation only came into effect this year and ensured minimum requirements for workers in unorganised workplaces, she said.

"The changes provided today will enable employers to determine whether or not a worker should have a break and then how long and when it should occur," Ms Kelly said.

"It will also enable employers to put strict restrictions on what a worker can do in the break, even if it's unpaid."

Ms Kelly said it was an example of the Government "pandering unnecessarily" to employers' interests.

- NZPA