Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says the Government's proposed changes to labour laws are quite mild and moderate.
The Employment Relations Amendment Bill extends a 90-day probation period for new employees to all employers and introduces a requirement for union representatives to gain consent from employers before visiting workplaces.
The bill passed its first hurdle in Parliament on Thursday night and will now be considered by a select committee.
Ms Wilkinson says the bill is about creating opportunities and helping employers to plan better.
But Labour MP Trevor Mallard says it is really about taking away employees' rights and attacking their wages.
He says Labour would repeal most of the legislation, when given the chance.
