FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS - GOOD FOR EVERYONE
The YWCA of Aotearoa NZ would like to congratulate Paliament on passing the Employment Relations (Flexible Working Arrangements) Amendment Bill. The Bill, sponsored by Green MP Sue Kedgley, gives employees with caring responsibilities the right to seek to vary their hours or place of work, and imposes a legal duty on employers to try to accommodate any such request. The Bill passed on 21 November 2007 ( with only ACT and National opposing the move) after a successful consulation process by the Department of Labour and a campaign by the Coalition for Quality Flexible Work.
As part of our commitment to economic justice the Y is a strong advocate for worker's rights. We were a major proponent for the Paid Parental Leave legislation and in 2006/2007 were part of the Coalition for Quality Flexible Work, a coalition of community groups promoting the legislation to provide the right to request flexible working hours for all employees.
To find out the outcomes of the Department of Labour consultation click here
Youth Vote Public Meeting
The YWCA of Aotearoa NZ, NZAAHD & Save the Children New Zealand recently held a public forum on the issues that surround the question of lowering the voting age. We had a speakers panel of Dr Cindy Kiro (Children’s Commissioner), Dr Fiona Beals (Lecturer, Vic Uni), Sonny Thomas (Young person), and Zack Dorner (Young Green) and a great turn out of a mixture of the young and young at heart at Zeal in Wellington to discuss the issues. The fabulous MC Rod Baxter from BGI facilitated the discussion and many important wider issues around how society views youth were raised.
Cindy Kiro, Children's Commissioner speakes at the event
The event was held on the anniversary of NZ women being given the vote. NZ was the first country to allow women to vote on 19 September 1893 and the similarities between the campaigns was apparent. It was clear from the event that further discussion and information sharing is essential. If you are interested in holding a similar event in your local community feel free to get in touch on info@ywca.org.nz and we can share with you the process we went through.
To read a Frequently Asked Questions pamphlet prepared by the Greens click here
