Recommendations
While the issue in New Zealand is somewhat different to situations overseas, the consequences of precarious work are very similar and could well be addressed by similar style interventions here. NACEW has specifically focused on addressing precarious work issues in the homecare, residential care and cleaning sectors. While the attached recommendations for change are specifically designed to resolve issues in these sectors, it is envisaged that these could work as a pilot for a more general public contracting policy.
In its recommendations, NACEW identifies concerns which have been raised throughout the course of the research into improving precarious employment conditions in the homecare, residential care and cleaning sectors. The key focus on advice to the Minister of Labour is to obtain government agreement and support for the recommendations and as such, NACEW has prioritised key recommendations which it believes will be effective in change and also observes that some recommendations may take longer to implement than others. It has also identified mechanisms for delivery in its recommendations realising that delivery does not necessarily need to focus on a wholly legislative solution to be effective.
From the research findings NACEW wanted to address the following issues in its advice to the Minister:
- Public Sector commitment to good employer practices should be extended to those businesses receiving public money through contracting for services;
- Government procurement policies include an explicit commitment that public money should not support workplace practices that result in precarious work outcomes for employees of service providers;
- Decisions about the level of funding for the contracting of public services includes an explicit calculation of adequate (and required) minimum income levels for their employees;
- Public sector procurement processes include quality and equitable labour practices as part of the selection criteria and procedures for ensuring compliance are in place;
- Quality labour practices include:
- observing all legal employment obligations
- actual wage levels[4] above the current minimum adult wage
- adequacy of working hours
- predictability of income; and
- Transparency of employee wage levels and working conditions.
The proposed recommendations have five key principles which address the above concerns and include:
- Government contracting policy be based on principles of fairness, equity and responsibility;
- Government will only contract with providers in the sector who can demonstrate a commitment to good labour relations, pay and employment equity and training;
- Government will sufficiently fund provision of services so as to enable providers to pay a living wage which also consider 'hidden costs' such as training;
- Appropriate unions will be notified of and have a role in enforcing the terms of contracts between Government and providers designed to benefit their members;
- Government will provide financial and other assistance to other stakeholders to build capacity and develop improved relationships.
Changes to the funder/provider relationship, the way in which the services are purchased and the nature of the services provided are all crucial. However, fundamental to the success of these changes will be the raising of funding levels and contract prices specifically targeted at improving the wage rates and job security of those actually providing the services.
Most importantly, for change to be effective the government must address the precariousness of these sectors, ensure that good labour relations prevail, that social and economic justice imperatives of pay and employment equity are supported and that training is encouraged to satisfy the requirements of the consumer and to contribute to the up-skilling of the workforce, which also benefits the economy.
In summary, NACEW's recommendations seek to improve the quality of services provided in the homecare, residential care and cleaning sectors; improve the self-esteem and well-being of staff; improve efficiency and productivity through increased skill levels, reduced turnover and the elimination of any discrimination and/or barriers to equality of opportunity; and to lessen the need for state support to workers in these sectors.
The proposed recommendations outline the five key principles that NACEW recommends and are supported through interpretations justifying each principle. For further reference, the two research reports examining both the New Zealand and international context into improving the quality of work for women in the homecare, residential care and cleaning sectors are also available for background material from NACEW, which give further context to the recommendations.
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[4] This takes into account any ‘hidden’ cost to the employee such as location of work, unpaid travel or training time, split shifts, consideration of holiday/leave pay etc
