The transition to a low-emissions economy presents a unique opportunity to encourage a shift toward the creation of jobs that are socially and ecologically sustainable. Supporting a variety of education and training programmes is necessary to upskill the workforce and empower people to participate in this changing economy. During and beyond this shift, we must uphold workers’ rights to secure and adequate income, to fair treatment and safety at work, and to be involved in workplace decision-making via workplace democracy and collective organising. At the same time, we must foster a working culture which recognises the fullness of people’s lives, and restores balance between paid work, voluntary and care work, and leisure time.
Vision
Secure and meaningful work is available for everyone in innovative, environmentally sustainable, and socially responsible workplaces.
Values and Principles
- Honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi: An equitable workforce supports Māori aspirations and upholds tino rangatiratanga across their working lives.
- Ecological Wisdom: All workplaces should actively support the transition to an environmentally sustainable economy.
- Social Responsibility: Working people have the right to fair pay for their work and deserve a fair share of the benefits of productivity growth.
- Appropriate Decision-Making: Working people, employers, and unions should be involved in making decisions about issues in their workplaces, the economy, and the environment. Workplace democracy and collective organisation are essential to address the inherent inequality of power between employers and employees.
- Non-Violence: Everyone has the right to fair treatment and safety at work, including freedom from forced labour and any form of discrimination.
- Symbiosis: Employers, working people, and unions enjoy equitable and beneficial relationships with each other. Working people are supported to grow in their roles, so everyone flourishes.
- Work-life balance: Our working culture should affirm the value of time outside of work, and enable sufficient time to enjoy and participate in their communities.
- Valuing unpaid work: The value of voluntary work and caring work should be recognised. The particular needs of working parents and caregivers should be acknowledged and supported.
Strategic Priorities
The Green Party’s strategic goals include:
“Meaningful work will be available and people will have sufficient time to enjoy and participate in their communities.”
Actions in this policy that work towards this goal include:
- Support people whose work has been affected by climate change (...) (1.3)
- Ensure pay equity, including by: Requiring pay transparency and pay-parity management in all sectors. (2.3.2)
- Ensure equitable employment opportunities, including by: Providing training and accessible information about opportunities to marginalised groups. (2.5.1)
- Support default union membership when people start a new job (i.e. making union membership opt-out rather than opt-in). (3.1.3)
- Progress towards a shorter standard working week (2.4.3)
- Introduce legislation to ensure time in lieu or overtime pay is provided for hours worked in excess of contracted hours. (2.4.4)
Connected Policies
This policy relates to the creation of skilled jobs in Business sectors that are socially and ecologically sustainable, resilient to Climate Change, and supported by infrastructure for economic development delivered through the Government in the Economy. The Government can support Livelihoods beyond ensuring fair and adequate wages, including through policies that value unpaid work and supporting caregivers to participate in the workforce. Removing barriers to employment, such as in Health, Housing, and Education, is important. Other policies that support working people include Immigration, Research, Science and Technology, Digital, and Accident Compensation.
