A bill that removes workers’ legal right to tea breaks and weakens collective bargaining legislation has become law, passing by 62 votes to 58 in New Zealand’s parliament this week, reports the New Zealand Herald. 

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill passed despite strong opposition from Labour, the Greens, NZ First and the Maori Party. It is the first piece of legislation to be passed by the new parliament.

The National Party argued that it allows for more flexibility in the labour market. However, Labour's Iain Lees-Galloway said it broke Prime Minister John Key's election night promise to govern in the interests of all New Zealanders.

Mr Lees-Galloway said: "It shows the arrogance of this National Government that the first thing they do after being elected to office for a third term is to undermine workers’ rights and undermine health and safety at work. This legislation has one purpose: to keep wages down."

The bill removes guaranteed meal breaks in return for requiring employers to pay extra where they are not provided. The breaks were written into law in 2008 but the National Party has argued it is inflexible for some, such as those in sole-charge positions where regimented breaks are impractical.

Unions have also objected to the weakening of collective bargaining and the ability to dock workers' pay for industrial action, such as working to rule. It also allows employers to choose not to be part of a collective agreement even where the workforce have voted for one.

Workplace Relations Minister Michael Woodhouse said the National Party had campaigned on the changes to make the labour market more flexible and was now delivering on them: "Flexible and balanced employment relations legislation is essential for business to grow while ensuring protections for workers are retained. This Bill strikes the right balance to promote business growth while also retaining protections for workers."

Council of Trade Unions Secretary Helen Kelly said it meant New Zealand now had some of the worst worker protections in the OECD: "This law attacks workers when they are most vulnerable; when they are negotiating for a new job, when their employment is at risk. Many workers will even lose their rights to tea and meal breaks."

Robert Reid, General Secretary for the FIRST Union, said the changes were unnecessary and driven by ideology rather than the economy. He said the Government had spoken about its wish for wages to increase, but was now blunting the tools that allowed that to happen: "Collective bargaining is one of the most effective tools workers have. It works. If the government had any interest in lifting wages it would strengthen collective bargaining not attack it."