New Zealand union campaign wins ban on zero hours contracts

A long campaign by IUF affiliate Unite supported by all New Zealand unions has resulted in a unanimous vote in parliament to ban zero hours contracts. All employment agreements will now be required to stipulate agreed and guaranteed hours; these hours must be recorded with reference to days of work and start and finish times.

An agreement may include an ‘availability clause’ for ‘good reasons’, but employees must be compensated for being available. Workers may refuse additional hours without penalty and compensation must be paid for cancelled shifts. Unite continue their organizing and campaigning on behalf of low-paid and precarious workers.