19 May 2013

Hollow commitment seen in workplace safety

12:14 pm on 19 May 2013

Labour says a lack of new funding in the Budget for workplace health and safety shows the Government's commitment to improving New Zealand's record in this area is hollow.

Health and safety spokesperson, Darien Fenton said no extra money has been allocated to implement the recommendations of the Pike River Mine Commission of Inquiry, or the Health and Safety Taskforce.

She said more funding will be needed, with a new stand-alone workplace health and safety agency planned.

Labour Minister Simon Bridges said an increase of $37 million over four years was announced last year and he's confident the new agency can be set up within the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment's existing budget.

He said any additional funding would not come through a Budget process, but through a levy on industry.