Postscript
Posted: 23 November 2022
The new Fair Pay Agreements Act 2022 worked its way quickly through the House and comes into effect on 1 December 2022. The government’s objective is to provide a framework for collective bargaining of pay agreements. It stated that the legislation will improve employment conditions by enabling employers and employees to bargain collectively (by occupation, for example), rather than on an individual basis.
Fair Pay Agreements legislation passed
The Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, the Hon Michael Wood said, “By increasing bargaining coordination to agree minimum employment terms within a sector, outcomes for vulnerable employees will be improved and we will see growth in the incomes of New Zealand employees. This is especially the case for Māori, Pacific peoples, young people and people with disabilities who are over-represented in occupations which will benefit from a Fair Pay Agreement.”
As we noted in the Winter 2022 edition of Fineprint, the provisions in this legislation have been welcomed positively by unions although not so warmly by many employers.
If you would like help in any pay negotiations, please don’t hesitate to be in touch.
Some plastic products now banned
Since 1 October 2022 it became illegal to provide, sell or manufacture the following plastic products in New Zealand:
- Single use plastic drink stirrers
- Single use plastic cotton buds
- Degradable plastics such as oxo and photo degradable (such as some dog poo bags)
- Certain PVC food trays and containers
- Polystyrene takeaway food and beverage packaging, and
- Expanded polystyrene food and beverage packaging.
These new regulations may affect the way you do business. To find out more, go to www.environment.govt.nz and search for ‘plastic phase outs’ and scroll to the end page.
Keep yourselves safe this summer
After what has seemed like a very long, cold (and wet!) winter, we are all looking forward to a warm summer.
If you’re driving, boating, bush walking, swimming or enjoying your backyard this summer, please stay safe, look out for others and enjoy relaxing in our beautiful country.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, safe and healthy 2023.
Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia.
DISCLAIMER: All the information published in the Property eSpeaking, Commercial eSpeaking, Trust eSpeaking, Rural eSpeaking, and Fineprint newsletters is true and accurate to the best of the authors’ knowledge. It should not be a substitute for legal advice. No liability is assumed by the authors or publisher for losses suffered by any person or organisation relying directly or indirectly on this article. Views expressed are those of individual authors, and do not necessarily reflect the view of this firm. Articles appearing in Property eSpeaking, Commercial eSpeaking, Trust eSpeaking, and Fineprint may be reproduced with prior approval from the editor and credit given to the source. Copyright, NZ LAW Limited, 2019. Editor: Adrienne Olsen. E-mail: [email protected]. Ph: 029 286 3650 or 04 496 5513.
