Pandemic added substantial pressure on ERA causing delays

A workers advocate says the Covid-19 pandemic has brought substantial pressure onto the Employment Relations Authority. Advocates help workers bring their claims of mistreatment by employers forward to the authority, but some are complaining of significant delays, and poor communication. They say the organisation is now having to deal with a backlog of cases. The Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment says while all matters currently lodged with the E-R-A have been reviewed, they've organised a prioritised wait list to help them sort through the backlog. Director of The Workers Advocate, Nathan Santesso says the backlog has been brought on by the pandemic.