4 Sep 2008

Rest break legislation passes under urgency

10:26 am on 4 September 2008

Legislation enforcing rest breaks and facilities for breastfeeding at work has passed under urgency in Parliament.

The amendment to the Employment Relations Act passed with a strong majority on a voice vote.

The bill will entitle employees to a 10-minute paid rest break after having worked for a two-hour period.

Once a staff member has worked for over four hours, but less than six hours, they must have one 10-minute paid break and one 30-minute break.

If more than six hours but less than eight hours are worked, the employee is entitled to two 10-minute and one 30-minute break.

During the committee stages of the bill, the Government also put up an amendment to Kiwisaver.

The change makes it unlawful for an employer to offer a reduced salary package if an employee is a member of Kiwisaver.

Parliament will continue to sit in urgency until midnight on Wednesday to make progress on about 18 bills before the election.

They include the Real Estate Agents Bill, the Biofuels Bill, the Policing Bill and legislation for affordable housing.

The urgency motion was passed about 9.30pm on Tuesday, with the support of the Greens and New Zealand First parties.