Latest news with #FairPayAgreements
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Kiwis Fleecing Kiwis: Why The Foodstuffs Model Is Failing
Pak'N'Save Richmond workers are calling out their "Kiwi owned and operated" bosses after a 6-month bargaining ordeal for attempting to drive down average supermarket wages, undermining union rights, and giving loyal staff a raw deal, all the while pocketing healthy profits for themselves. Bargaining with the store's owners, Glenn and Tracey Anderson, has dragged on since January 2025 with no meaningful progress, according to Ross Lampert, Workers First National Organiser (Retail Food). Mr Lampert said that the company refuses to offer industry-standard basics like a staff discount or long service leave, and their latest pay offer after six months of bargaining falls well below inflation, meaning a real-terms pay cut for workers who are already struggling with the cost of living. "This is exactly what happens when the Foodstuffs model lets individual owners race each other to the bottom - it's Kiwis fleecing other Kiwis," said Mr Lampert. "They proudly talk about 'investing in the team' while they chip away at pay, undermine union rights, and break the law to keep wages low." Pak'N'Save Richmond has a long history of anti-union behaviour, Mr Lampert said. Workers have been offered higher wages to sign Individual Employment Agreements instead of the union-negotiated Collective, which is a clear breach of employment law. The union holds documented evidence, including payslips showing two different rates offered for the same role at the same time, with the only difference being union membership. One worker at the store, commenting anonymously due to restrictions on public speech contained in company policy, said: "Customers are always shocked we don't even get a staff discount, let alone a living wage." Another store worker said: "Management tries to scare people away from the union and bully staff into signing individual deals. It's a scam." The company has also attempted to restrict access for union organisers by actively trying to block Mr Lampert's ability to go into certain areas, behaving aggressively and hiding workers from having fair representation. This intimidation has left many staff afraid to speak up, but Workers First members say they are ready to stand strong together and take further action if needed. "This is why Fair Pay Agreements were so important," said Mr Lampert. "They were designed to stop exactly this kind of race to the bottom, but our current Government scrapped them, leaving workers exposed to shoddy operators like these who are determined to keep supermarket workers teetering on the edge of poverty." "Even the Australian chains like Woolworths treat Kiwi workers better than these 'proudly Kiwi' owners." "Kiwi shoppers deserve to know that the people stacking their shelves and serving them every day are being paid fairly and treated with respect. Right now, that's not happening at Pak'nSave Richmond." Background information Workers First Union holds documented evidence of unlawful pay preference as described above - it is available to media on request. Bargaining between Workers First and Pak'N'Save Richmond was initiated on 30 January 2025. The company is currently in the process of expanding the physical footprint of the Pak'N'Save Richmond store into Richmond mall, prompting the displacement of at least 14 other retail stores.
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
All Workers Will Now Be Able To Be Fired At Will - The Govt Has No Shame
All workers will be in the firing line for instant dismissal regardless of circumstances under a law change now before Parliament. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brook van Velden has introduced the Employment Relations Amendment Bill which will make it harder for workers to bring personal grievance claims. "This is plainly and simply a fundamental erosion of workers' rights to secure employment - the Minister is effectively giving employers the green light to fire workers at will," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi. "It will be virtually impossible for a worker to bring a successful personal grievance if unfairly sacked. This is a radical change for every workplace in New Zealand, again exposing the Government's priority to make life easier for employers, harder for workers. "If a worker is dismissed unjustifiably, the only remedy is through a personal grievance. There is no problem here the Government is trying to solve. The current remedies are already very limited with reinstatement only being ordered in 16 cases at the Employment Relations Authority in 2024 according to their Annual Report. "But now the Bill will make it easier for employers to find a way to undermine any personal grievance claim by establishing some conduct by the worker that contributed to a dismissal. "Under the Bill, an employer will be able to amplify any conduct by the workers - it won't be hard for some justification to be found to defend against the claim. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading "This is all about weakening any claim and discouraging a worker from bringing a claim in the first place. That will mean workers will find it much harder to be reinstated which is ultimately what most workers want or get compensation for hurt and humiliation. "The Minister trumpeted the changes as all about 'labour market flexibility'. We heard the same thing in 1991 with the Employment Contracts Act which the Government then promised would increase productivity. That didn't happen, it just stripped workers of rights and emboldened employers. "We are seeing the same playbook now with planned cuts to sick pay, pay equity, the 90-day fire at will law, weakening health and safety requirements for employers and the axing of Fair Pay Agreements. "That all amounts to less secure employment, lower wages and more dangerous workplaces. "The Government has no shame and workers across New Zealand will pay the price for that for years to come."
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Business Standard
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
UK to end overseas care worker recruitment after visa fraud probe in India
The UK government is preparing to stop recruitment of overseas care workers as part of its broader effort to reduce net migration, just two months after a BBC investigation uncovered large-scale visa fraud linked to Kerala, India. According to UK Home Office figures, nearly 1,40,000 health and care visas were issued in 2023 to meet staffing shortages in Britain's care sector. Of these, 39,000 were granted to Indian nationals. 'Care workers from overseas have made a huge contribution to social care in the UK, but too many have been subject to shameful levels of abuse and exploitation,' the government said in a press release on May 12, 2025. 'Workers seeking to support the UK's care sector arrived to find themselves saddled with debt, treated unfairly, or in extreme cases discover the jobs they were promised did not exist.' 470 sponsors suspended since 2022 The Home Office has suspended over 470 care providers from sponsoring foreign staff since 2022, citing irregularities and abuse of the system. Authorities say around 40,000 overseas workers have been displaced due to the crackdown, though most remain in the country and are now eligible to rejoin the workforce through verified employers. According to the government, those who are already in the UK on valid sponsorships will still be allowed to extend their stay, switch employers, or apply for settlement—provided they remain compliant with immigration laws. A long-term shift is also underway to reduce reliance on foreign workers by training more UK residents for roles in adult social care. 'This government is committed to tackling these issues and has committed to establishing Fair Pay Agreements,' the statement said. These agreements will enable representatives from across the sector to negotiate better employment terms. The measures build on an earlier initiative announced in January to expand the Care Workforce Pathway, which is intended to help professionalise the sector. Baroness Louise Casey has also been appointed to lead an independent commission on adult social care, with a focus on building long-term consensus across party lines. Kerala fraud exposed by BBC probe The clampdown follows revelations of large-scale visa scams affecting Indian workers. In March, a BBC report found that many aspiring care workers in Kerala had fallen prey to fake recruitment agents after the UK added care roles to its shortage occupation list during the pandemic. This made it easier for care homes in Britain to sponsor foreign staff, triggering a rush of applications. In Ernakulam district, police said they now receive daily complaints from individuals who were promised jobs abroad but ended up defrauded. 'This is not just about one or two isolated cases. There's a pattern here,' a senior police officer told the BBC. 'Fraudsters are swindling lakhs of rupees from unsuspecting people by falsely promising them jobs in countries such as Europe, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.' Why Kerala was targeted Ketan Mukhija, senior partner at Burgeon Law, told Business Standard that agents deliberately targeted Kerala due to its high migration rates. 'Fraudsters target individuals from Kerala primarily due to their strong aspirations for better employment opportunities abroad,' said Mukhija. 'Many migrants are driven by economic necessity and the desire to support their families, making them more susceptible to scams that promise high-paying jobs.' He added that many victims struggle to take legal action because of the costs involved. 'Lawyers are expensive, and these workers are already in deep debt.' Local migrant rights organisation Thittala estimates that between 1,000 and 2,000 Keralites affected by visa fraud or exploitation remain in the UK. Many more are stranded in India after spending lakhs on fraudulent agents. In Kothamangalam, a small town in Ernakulam district, BBC reporters met around 30 individuals who said they had collectively lost crores of rupees attempting to get care visas to the UK. Key points * 1,40,000 care visas issued in 2023; 39,000 went to Indians * Over 470 UK care providers have lost their sponsor licences * Around 40,000 overseas care workers were displaced * Visa fraud complaints surge in Kerala, India * Victims often don't pursue legal action due to cost * UK to expand training and move away from dependence on overseas staff
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Labour Backs Workers While Govt Cuts Jobs And Protections
Press Release – New Zealand Labour Party Labour believes everyone deserves decent, secure work that allows them to make positive choices in their own lives, Jan Tinetti said. This May Day Labour is standing with workers to defend decent jobs and fair pay. 'Many Kiwis are struggling to find work or have lost their jobs because of this Government's disastrous choices,' Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. 'Under National, unemployment is up to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work. Construction workers are leaving the country, manufacturing jobs are being cut, and more Kiwis are worried about finding or keeping a job. 'They're also making life harder for those still in work by scrapping Fair Pay Agreements, docking pay for strike action, and halting progress on pay transparency and equity. 'That makes it harder for workers to negotiate fair wages and keep their jobs. People are left with less job security, fewer rights, and pay that doesn't keep up with the cost of living. 'Labour believes everyone deserves decent, secure work that allows them to make positive choices in their own lives,' Jan Tinetti said. Jan Tinetti marked May Day at a workers' hui at Hopukiore (Mount Drury) Reserve in Mt Maunganui, one of several held nationwide to push back against the Government's anti-worker agenda. Labour Leader Chris Hipkins also spoke at a May Day event in New Plymouth with union leaders and workers. Other Labour MPs are marking the day at events around the country.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Labour Backs Workers While Govt Cuts Jobs And Protections
This May Day Labour is standing with workers to defend decent jobs and fair pay. 'Many Kiwis are struggling to find work or have lost their jobs because of this Government's disastrous choices,' Labour workplace relations and safety spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. 'Under National, unemployment is up to 5.1%, with 33,000 more people out of work. Construction workers are leaving the country, manufacturing jobs are being cut, and more Kiwis are worried about finding or keeping a job. 'They're also making life harder for those still in work by scrapping Fair Pay Agreements, docking pay for strike action, and halting progress on pay transparency and equity. 'That makes it harder for workers to negotiate fair wages and keep their jobs. People are left with less job security, fewer rights, and pay that doesn't keep up with the cost of living. 'Labour believes everyone deserves decent, secure work that allows them to make positive choices in their own lives,' Jan Tinetti said. Jan Tinetti marked May Day at a workers' hui at Hopukiore (Mount Drury) Reserve in Mt Maunganui, one of several held nationwide to push back against the Government's anti-worker agenda. Labour Leader Chris Hipkins also spoke at a May Day event in New Plymouth with union leaders and workers. Other Labour MPs are marking the day at events around the country.
