Hosea Courage, left, and Daniel Pilgrim Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
A senior barrister specialising in employment law says yesterday's groundbreaking employment court ruling on child labour at Gloriavale is a wake-up call for government agencies and other organisations relying heavily on volunteers.
The Employment Court found that three former members of the Christian group were employed from the age of six, doing work that was strenuous and sometimes dangerous.
The Labour Inspectorate, which is part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, had earlier concluded people working at Gloriavale, including children, were volunteers.
Senior Christchurch barrister specialising in employment law, Kathryn Dalziel, says the judgement could impact any church group or incorporated society that relies on volunteers, and should ring alarm bells with a number of public agencies.
