KEY POINTS:
The Herald asks three politicans: Do you support a code of employment practice for casual and temporary workers?
Trevor Mallard, Labour: Many workers are being treated effectively as casuals when they are working regular shifts and have been for quite a long time. I introduced a bill to make it easier for them and their employers to sort out whether they are casuals or not by giving labour inspectors the power to determine whether someone is a casual or a permanent employee.
Kate Wilkinson, National: Our concern is the simplistic view that Labour Department inspectors will have the power to determine the nature of an employment relationship. An employment relationship can be complex, and often we have to rely on judgments of the Employment Court and the Court of Appeal to determine the nature of that employment contract.
Hone Harawira, Maori Party: Our position is that anything that is going to give workers a sense of security of employment has got to be a good idea.
