Firms in New Zealand ask for cheaper unemployment insurance scheme

The government has proposed a compulsory national income insurance scheme which would replace 80% of a workers’ income, up to a cap of NZ$130,911.
Trade union calls for raise of New Zealand’s minimum wage

The minimum wage should be increased as annual inflation in the country has hit a 30-year high of 5.9%, says the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.
New Zealand calls on for companies to be prepared for Omicron disruption

Finance Minister Grant Robertson cautioned firms to ensure business continuity plans are in place and vowed government support.
BusinessNZ seeks clarity on SOP for Omicron outbreak

Clarity is being sought on the definitions of a contact, and the triggers for isolation once the Omicron strain starts spreading in the community.
New Zealand provides financial aid for companies with revenue shortfall

The government is granting financial support to help companies transition to the new traffic light system for managing COVID-19.
Full vaccination mandated for some workers in New Zealand

Unvaccinated staff in businesses where customers need to show My Vaccine Pass cannot work unless they are fully inoculated against COVID-19.
New Zealand urged to increase minimum wage for essential workers

The Council of Trade Unions’ call to increase the minimum wage to NZ$22.75 is in line with the current living wage.
New Zealand rejects claim that vaccine mandate breaches human rights

Claims by five government workers who said that their human rights have been violated due to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate have been dismissed.
New Zealand’s unemployment falls to record low in Q3’21

The number of unemployed people declined by 18,000 in the third quarter to 98,000, and marks the lowest unemployment level since 2008.
New Zealand makes vaccination mandatory for hospitality staff

Employees of businesses where customers are required to show vaccine certificates will be given four weeks to also get the jab or face sacking
Some 40,000 small businesses in New Zealand go digital

The Digital Boost programme is a free training programme that has helped 40,000 small businesses improve their digital skills.
New Zealand employers urge for mandatory vaccine passports

The Employers & Manufacturers Association (EMA) is calling on the government to mandate workers to carry digital vaccine passports to enter workplaces.
Auckland businesses urge mandate of “no jab, no job” regulation

Businesses in Auckland are calling for government-mandated vaccination at workplaces amid a lockdown that has lasted seven weeks.
New Zealand to roll out fourth wage subsidy package

The subsidies will be available to companies country-wide that experience or expect a 40% fall in revenue during the fortnight to October 11.
Sacked port worker in New Zealand loses High Court case

An ex-customs service worker who opted not to be vaccinated and consequently got sacked has lost her case at the High Court.
New Zealand doles out additional payments to support businesses

To qualify, companies must suffer at least a 30% fall in revenue over seven days as a result of being under alert level 2 or higher.
New Zealand temp staff unable to access wage subsidy scheme

The issue of recruitment agencies not being able to access governmental wage subsidies is being examined and discussed.
New Zealand considers additional COVID-19 support for firms

Over 25,000 businesses have signed an Auckland Business Chamber petition calling for the provision of more financial support.
New Zealand accountants urge for WFH tax policy

Chartered accountants in the country are calling for tax laws to be passed as working from home becomes the new norm.
New contracts in New Zealand can include vaccination requirement

Workplace relations minister has confirmed that COVID-19 vaccination requirements can be written into new employment agreements.
Big employers in New Zealand not applying for wage subsidy

Big businesses are conspicuously absent from applying for the latest wage subsidy scheme pushed out by the government.
Over 47,000 businesses apply for wage subsidies in New Zealand

Revenues have dropped for many businesses as the country goes into Level 4 lockdown mode in response to a Delta variant outbreak of COVID-19.
New Zealand reinstates wage subsidy amid lockdown

As the country raises its COVID-19 alert to level 4, the government is planning to reinstate the wage subsidy.
New Zealand’s wage inflation rises 2.1% in the year-to-June quarter

The labour cost index (LCI) of all salary and wages, including overtime pay, increased by 2.1%, showing an increase of 1.6% in the year-to-March 2021 quarter.
New Zealand’s unemployment rate falls to 4% in June quarter

The number of unemployed people declined by 12.4%, marking the largest quarterly percentage fall in unemployment since 1986.
New Zealand companies express interest for workplace vaccination

Companies are seeking to inoculate employees after the Ministry of Health sought expressions of interest to provide workplace vaccination.
10-day sick leave rule takes effect in New Zealand

The legislation doubling the minimum number of sick leave from five to 10 took effect on Saturday, July 24, for employees in New Zealand.
Over 50% of gig workers in New Zealand earn below minimum wage

Some 30% of gig workers estimated their hourly wage after expenses to be between NZ$18.90 and 2021’s scheduled minimum wage of NZ$20.
New Zealand officials opposes Labour’s Fair Pay Agreement proposal

Some government officials are rejecting Labour’s Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) plan in favour of tightening existing employment laws.
New Zealand launches Infrastructure Skills Centre

The civil construction and infrastructure industry has set up a centre to help meet the needs of the country in infrastructural skills.