- Parliament to consider Holidays Act changes -
17.02.2003 12:05:47
Employees will be paid extra for working on statutory holidays under changes to the Holidays Act to be introduced to Parliament this week.
Prime Minister Helen Clark today said cabinet had finalised the legislation, announced by Labour Minister Margaret Wilson last year.
The main changes would include employees being paid time-and-a-half and getting a day in lieu for working statutory holidays, five days` sick pay a year and increased bereavement leave entitlements.
Other changes included "pay as you go" for annual leave entitlements for employees in the job less than a year - meaning they could forgo leave for extra money - and making Waitangi and ANZAC days consistent with other public holidays.
Enforcement penalties would increase to maximums of $5000 for individuals and $10,000 for companies or corporations, and $1000 a day for continuing the offence.
Miss Clark said once the legislation passed its first reading it would be considered by a parliamentary select committee at the same time as Progressive Coalition MP Matt Robson`s Holidays (Four Weeks Annual Leave) Amendment Bill.
That bill gives workers a minimum of four weeks` annual leave, up from the current three weeks. The Government has said it will support that legislation at its first reading but that there is no chance of a law change during this term of Parliament.
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by Stuff NZ
http://www.stuff.co.nz
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