Trans-Tasman bubble good for business

The travel bubble with Australia that starts next week will be important for business: Australia is NZ’s second largest trading partner, biggest services trade partner, and largest source of overseas visitors, and in normal times there are around 400,000 business trips across the Tasman each year.  The trans-Tasman bubble will allow over 1,000 MIQ places a fortnight to be freed up, and the BusinessNZ Network says those places should be used to get more critical skilled workers, and related family reunifications, in NZ.  

Business needs a breather

The BusinessNZ Network has joined calls for a 2-year moratorium on new business regulation.  Last week saw new regulations imposing increased minimum wage requirements on firms already struggling in the Covid environment.  Legislation requiring employers to double sick leave entitlements is currently before Parliament.  And law changes that will create increased employer costs with Fair Pay Agreements, pay equity wage thresholds and living wage requirements all add to the compliance burden.  Business needs a breather, EMA’s Brett O’Riley says.

Better law-making needed

Meanwhile, a step towards better law-making occurred in Parliament yesterday: ACT’s Regulatory Standards Bill was drawn from the members’ ballot. The Bill seeks to avoid rushed or misfocused law-making that ends up costing businesses time and money.  The Bill would require proposed laws to include a clear analysis of the  problem they're expected to solve, cost-benefit analysis of expected outcomes, and adequate consultation with affected parties including business.  BusinessNZ’s Kirk Hope says the Bill will be welcomed by the business sector which bears a heavy compliance load from regulation.  

Immigration powers extended

Government is proposing to extend emergency powers over immigration for two more years. The Immigration (Covid-19 Response) Amendment Bill would extend current emergency settings for immigration until 2023, increase the length of time that visa applications can be suspended, and continue broad Ministerial powers over individual immigration requests.  The Bill was sent to select committee yesterday and submissions are due next Friday, an extremely short period for public submissions on significant legislation.   BusinessNZ will circulate its draft submission early next week.  

Covid advice for business

EMA has published resources to help firms manage Covid issues in the workplace, including a Covid-19 resource pack: template forms for administering contact tracing, cleaning records, medical surveillance records, employee contact records, sign-in registers etc.  Also, COVID-19 Vaccinations in the Workplace: A Guide for employers, covering legal obligations and options in situations where a job applicant or employee refuses the vaccine or refuses to say whether they have been vaccinated, and where this may be a health & safety risk to the business. 

Advocacy spot: Road freight in 2021

Road freight profitability depends on the economy, and truckers are closely watching Covid’s impact, says Road Transport Forum's Nick Leggett.   Road freight issues include supply chain pressures adding costs to freight, driver shortages, contracting rights, safety, and costs.  RTF is advocating for truckers’ continued ability to operate as contractors, given impending employment law changes, and will continue to focus on safety, cost reduction and moves to support emissions reduction.  Truckers need a regulatory environment that supports the industry, Nick says.

New members

BusinessNZ Network welcomes new Members: firms joining the Major Companies Group (a grouping of NZ’s largest and most significant businesses) include Amazon, Aurecon, Coca Cola Amatil, Counties Power and Salesforce; and industry bodies joining the Affiliated Industries Group (the largest grouping of industry associations operating in NZ) include the Baking Industry Association of NZ,  Facilities Management Association of NZ and SpiritsNZ.  Welcome to the BusinessNZ Network!   Those wishing to join the Network can contact Phil Love plove@businessnz.org or Katharine McGhie kmcghie@businessnz.org.nz.

Governance for industry training

Under NZ’s new vocational education system, Workforce Development Councils are being set up to communicate and respond to industry training needs.   Expressions of interest are sought from businesspeople wishing to become Council members on Workforce Development Councils in several industries including construction, manufacturing, primary and service industries.  Applications are sought from industry leaders with governance experience and wide industry networks.  Applications close 16 April and information about the roles is here.