The government, led by a party that portrayed itself as happy-faced common-sense centrists, is baring its money-grubbing fangs.
Today we hear it wants to allow employers to buy back your fourth week of holiday. It’s not difficult to imagine an employer telling a worker, “Righto, here’s the deal: back to three weeks hols and an extra $1 a year or we’ll need to let you go. There are plenty other people willing to work here with only 3 weeks holidays, so you’re too expensive.”
John Key thinks that $1 will compensate you for the lost nine days with your family at a peaceful DoC campground overlooking an idyllic Coromandel coastline.
Whaleoil blogger Cameron Slater thinks it’s a good idea. He says the fourth week of holiday is “”the single biggest productivity killer that Labour brought in.”
Cam, if it’s a “productivity killer” and therefore a bad thing, why not delete the right to all holidays, Christmas and Easter included? While we’re at it, let’s also remove any restrictions on the working week!
Cameron and other wingnuts also think it’s a bad thing that Labour ensured the fourth week was inalienable. That’s what made sure that it couldn’t be sold, you plonkers. The enitlement is a protective measure to take the holidays off the employment negotiation table. otherwise, employers are able to adopt a take it or leave it attuitude, with four weeks hols a misty dream for most workers.
As well, wingnuts go on alarming about the breakdown of families and all that. Then they attack one of the elements of employment law that helps to keep families together. A holiday is a crucial social cement for families; if you take away people’s right to holidays, fewer holidays will be given and taken.
The Nats and their supporters need to gain some sense and have a heart.
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