Source: NZCTU
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi welcomes Labour’s AI policy, which will support a future where technology works for people.
“Artificial intelligence tools are becoming widely used in many industries. As a country, we need to ensure that working people benefit from, and are not harmed by, AI in the workplace,” says NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Sandra Grey.
“If the right tools are implemented through proper engagement with the workforce, then they can help to improve job satisfaction”, says Grey.
“But what we are seeing in Aotearoa and around the world is that many firms are forcing AI upon workers, often in ways that undermine job quality and threaten wages and job security”, says Grey.
“This includes forcing people to use AI that’s not up to the job, unacceptable monitoring and surveillance of workers, and large-scale redundancies. Many people report that AI use has stripped them of their autonomy in the workplace and increased workload and stress. This is not the kind of future we want as a country”, says Grey.
“To deliver a worker-centric future we need to be proactive. The top priorities are upskilling the workforce, enabling just transitions for any workers whose roles are affected by technological change, and regulating AI so that working peoples’ fundamental rights are protected,” says Grey.
“This all starts by making sure that working people are at the centre of any decisions on AI use in the workplace”, says Grey.
“The National-led Government has failed to take AI seriously. National has just mimicked Silicon Valley hype and neglected to put in place any protections for working people,” says Grey.
“The union movement is ready to work with the next Government to ensure the future is bright for everyone. To that end we welcome Labour’s announcement today that it will establish an Office of AI, regulate to protect people’s rights and safety, and engage with unions,” says Grey.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/10/workers-must-be-at-the-centre-of-all-ai-policy/