Observing an employment law clinic at one of the country’s community law centres, one would be hard-pressed not to reflect on the inherent imbalances of power present in the employment relationship. This is the starting point of for Stephen Parry’s analysis of the employment relations framework in New Zealand, from the perspective of his role at Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley. Recognising and addressing such imbalances is helpful to set out as an object of the Employment Relations Act, though this object is not adequately realised in the practice and institutions of employment law.
At a time when we are facing unprecedented disruptions to the employment landscape as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that our employment relations regime is sensitive to the needs of those who are most vulnerable.
The aim of this article is to briefly identify the various obstructions to accessing justice experienced by community law centre clients with employment relations problems, and to suggest interventions that may go some way to removing these roadblocks.
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