National Secretary Update

It is undoubtedly an unprecedented event that we now face.

The government has announced a $12.1 billion economic package, calling on all employers to ensure workers affected by COVID-19 continue to receive full pay.
This latest news will take the pressure off income earners who have been worrying about how to pay the bills, keep a roof over their family’s heads and put food on the table if they can’t go to work.

We can be assured that the government is working tirelessly to support the people of New Zealand by putting into place extensive and wide-ranging strategies to ensure that families and communities are supported and protected during this time.

These strategies also include increases to welfare payments with the eventual implementation of broader recommendations from the Welfare Expert Advisory Group.
AWUNZ notes the Government commitment to part-time workers and contractors who are particularly vulnerable at this time.

While people are encouraged to work from home as much as possible, many union members currently employed in the health, community and public sectors are unable to do so. The need for them to continue working and to physically be at work may in fact be greater at this time as clients require more care, contact and assistance. AWUNZ is working to ensure that employers guarantee that staff will not be penalised by a loss of income if they become sick themselves.

We are confident in the knowledge that the government is doing everything it can to protect and support industry, businesses, employers/employees, and particularly families and communities. AWUNZ will continue to take advice from government and monitor the situation as information comes to hand.
Meanwhile we can all do our bit by coming together and supporting one another in this time of national crisis.