Social Development and Employment
The Minister for Social Development and Employment is proactively releasing the titles of documents received from MBIE.
The Minister for Social Development and Employment is proactively releasing the titles of documents received from MBIE.
On 21 February 2026, the Employment Relations Amendment Act 2026 came into force, which clarifies contracting arrangements, simplifies personal grievances and reduces complexity at the start of employment relationships. The Government has reintroduced the ability to make pay deductions in response to partial strikes.
Cabinet has agreed to policy proposals for new employment leave legislation: a simpler and more workable replacement for the Holidays Act 2003.
We are taking a proactive approach to ensure employers, facilitators of service and workers in the sex industry understand their rights and legal obligations.
As Easter approaches, the Labour Inspectorate is reminding employers and employees to understand their rights and obligations concerning Easter trading laws.
The Forced Labour Protocol 2014 is an international, legally-binding document that provides guidance on how to eliminate all forms of forced labour, punish offenders and protect victims, including ensuring they have access to remedies such as compensation.
The Remuneration Authority (Members of Parliament Remuneration) Amendment Act repealed the 2015 changes and restored the Remuneration Authority’s discretion to set MPs’ pay based on specified criteria.
Feedback was received from a public consultation on better protections for vulnerable contractors in 2020.
Contracting arrangements, or contracts for services, are a fundamental part of our labour market, and are used across nearly all sectors of the economy.
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