The Council of Trade Unions says the government should add employee representatives to the WorkSafe board.
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has revealed three new appointees to the safety watchdog.
Murray Jagger, who was the director of his family farming business, Manaia View Farms Limited, and former chair of Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited, will take on the role of board chair.
Brett O’Riley and Christopher Alderson have also joined the board.
O’Riley served as the chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association.
Alderson, who served as the chief executive of Construction Health and Safety New Zealand, is a chartered accountant, a health and safety expert, and the director of Mates in Construction, a suicide support service for workers in the building sector.
For New Zealand Council of Trade Unions (NZCTU) president Richard Wagstaff, the new board as a whole no longer included any worker representatives.
“To remove their voice from the actual governance of WorkSafe is deeply concerning, and we think will undermine the reputation of WorkSafe.”
“We had people there who did understand unions and workers and the issues around health and safety; now there isn’t anybody.”
He urged the minister to create opportunities for workers to be part of the board.
Meanwhile, Van Velden said she chose Chris Alderson because of his established worker advocacy and thorough knowledge of challenges in the construction industry.
“His work with CHASNZ, a charitable trust dedicated to construction worker advocacy, has built strong connections with workers and a frontline perspective on their needs.
“His experience in designing standardised industry training demonstrates his ability to create system-wide education campaigns designed to improve outcomes, while his role as a health and safety professional reinforces his commitment to supporting workers.”
The appointments have a duration of three years.
“I am confident they will help WorkSafe engage early to support businesses and individuals to manage health and safety risks and improve outcomes for workers and businesses across the country,” Van Velden added.