Amendments to the statutory meal breaks legislation underway.
September 4, 2009
The Minister of Labour’s decision to amend the statutory meal breaks legislation is a huge relief for Hawke’s Bay, say National MPs Craig Foss and Chris Tremain.
The threat of regional airport control towers being closed because of the law would have had a significant impact on Napier Airport.
Air New Zealand had signalled that at least four flights each week to and from Auckland would have been removed from the schedule.
“Aside from the loss of flights, we would also be at a greater risk of cancellations and delays as flight times would need to revolve around set breaks,” Chris Tremain says.
“It would be a mess, with the public and local businesses the big losers.”
The move to introduce greater flexibility to the law was simply common sense, Craig Foss says.
“Everyone is entitled to a break and that won’t change, but now they can arrange it to suit their schedules and not be dictated to by legislation.
“Airports, pharmacies and schools have always had workable arrangements in place so staff can take breaks and they should be allowed to decide what system works best for them.”
Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson will introduce an Amendment Bill to the House later this month.
