Working for Families – Ensuring Entitlements Resources and Information Meetings for Unions

Following anecdotal evidence from unions, and from the CTU and Government Forums, that not all eligible people are accessing Working for Families, CTU has discussed with the Minister of Social Development and MSD and IRD officials the role CTU could play in ensuring that working people are getting their full entitlements.

Workers and families may be missing out on entitlement for various reasons. Some people may find the system too complicated and/or bothersome, others may not have received the right assistance or information. Some just may not have got around to it. Others may have found their entitlements have changed as a result of changes to jobs or income.

The MSD has produced some attractive resources which are available in Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island and English. They may be useful for union delegates and organisers. We will have copies at the CTU for affiliates.

In response to the role CTU that could play, it has been suggested that MSD and IRD host some informal breakfast meetings with a presentation by officials about the WFF package as well as discussion about entitlements and means of accessing entitlements and providing some resources.

This email/note asks that you:

• Access CTU for resources and communications for worksites


• Have a conversation in your union about whether workers may be missing


• Alert delegates and organisers to this issue


• Be aware that breakfast meetings are being organised in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch in late November/early December for organisers and delegates to increase awareness of ensuring entitlements.

Queries on this issue should be directed to Eileen Brown at the CTU – social policy analyst - who is coordinating this work. Ph 04 802 3813 or email Eileen (click on the link for her email address).

October 2006