More on Overnight Payments

By NZPA, February 18, 2011 The Court of Appeal on Wednesday upheld an Employment Court decision against an IHC provider which had paid a shift allowance of about $30 and was opposed to an hourly minimum-wage rate.

Health Minister Tony Ryall yesterday said it would cost more than $500 million over three years and questioned where the money would come from.

Changing minimum wage legislation is one of the options the Government is considering in response to the ruling.

"Workers on their sleep-over shifts are away from their own home and legally responsible for the health and safety of those they are caring for," industrial relations spokesman Keith Locke said. "Other workers, such as firemen and ambulance drivers, are paid at their full rate during overnight shifts."

Mr Locke said that rather than threatening retrospective law changes, the Government should work with employees represenattives and the workers to negotiate a fair way forward

NZPA Article 18th February 2011

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