29 Jan 2018

Linda Clark to facilitate 'Hobbit law' working group

3:10 pm on 29 January 2018

The government has set up a working group to look at industrial relations in the film industry.

hobbit

hobbit Photo: reuters

It will be facilitated by the former TVNZ Political Editor, and now lawyer, Linda Clark.

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway said the 2010 'Hobbit' law meant film production workers were treated as independent contractors, unless they were party to a written employment agreement stating otherwise.

He said those people need a voice in their workplace through collective bargaining.

He said the industry had agreed to work collaboratively to find what he described as a 'durable' solution.

The working group will be made up of key industry players, including Business New Zealand and the Council of Trade Unions.

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