1. NZ Government announces support to better protect migrants from exploitation
New measures to better protect migrant workers from exploitation came into force on 1 July 2021. The changes are part of a wider Government initiative to combat all forms of exploitation. These include:
- A new visa to support migrants to leave mistreatment and exploitative work situations quickly and remain lawfully in New Zealand. This visa will be valid for up to 6 months.
- A new dedicated 0800 number (Reporting migrant exploitation – phone number) and web form (Reporting form – Migrant exploitation ) to make it easier to report migrant worker mistreatment or exploitation at the workplace. Anyone who sees or suspects a breach of minimum employment rights can report it. It does not have to be the migrant being exploited.
- Combined efforts from Immigration New Zealand and Employment New Zealand Labour Inspectors to investigate non-compliant employers.
For more information please visit: Government announces support to better protect migrants from exploitation
2. The Government has announced the dates for the Matariki public holiday for the next 30 years
New Zealand will celebrate Matariki as a public holiday from Friday 24 June 2022. The calendar date for the Matariki public holiday will shift each year to align with the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar). Shop trading hours will not be impacted. Dates for the next 30 years have been announced. Businesses should start talking to their accountants or payroll providers to prepare for next year.
Please visit: Matariki public holiday – a time for remembering, celebrating and looking forward
3. Paid parental leave increases
The rates for paid parental leave have increased from 1 July 2021. The maximum paid parental leave rate has increased by 2.5%, from $606.46 to $621.76 per week.
The minimum amount of payment for a self-employed person per week is $200 per week.
For more information visit Parental leave
4. Extra employment protections for security officers come into force
Changes to the Employment Relations Act, which provide security officers with additional employment protections, came into effect in on 1 July 2021. The changes give security guards the same employment protections already held by cleaning, catering and some laundry and caretaking workers under the Act when an employer’s business is restructured. This affects businesses that provide security services or have in-house security officers, if they decide to make changes in the way they contract or employ security officers.
For more information visit https://www.employment.govt.nz/about/news-and-updates/extra-employment-protections-for-security-officers/
